TORONTO – Fifty Proof, idle since a second-place effort in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes in July of 2011, returns to action in Sunday’s $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes, at Woodbine.
The sizable son of Whiskey Wisdom, trained by Ian Black for owners Kinghaven Farms, John Fielding and Ben Hutzel, was named Canada’s champion older male in 2011 and returns in this 1 1/16-mile Ontario Sire Stake over a Polytrack where he sports a 3-1-0 record in five starts.
“He had a soft tissue injury,” explains Black, who took the chestnut to Payson Park in Florida over the offseason. “He started back training in Payson over the winter and then he had another stoppage with a hairline fracture in his cannon bone.”
Black has patiently conditioned Fifty Proof for his return with a lengthy work tab that includes a bullet five-panel effort of 1:00.20, in company, on November 24.
“It was a good work,” said Black. “We set him off at least seven or eight lengths behind another horse. He was still five or six lengths off turning for home and they finished together.”
Fifty Proof, was the only horse, of 64 workers, to be clocked in under 1:01 at the distance on the day.
“On that particular morning, there was a headwind and it was very slow comparatively,” said Black. “He’s trained well and he’s in good order. It’s a long time off and hopefully he’ll be fit enough.”
Fifty Proof will be reunited with jockey Justin Stein in his return engagement.
Black has plenty of confidence in Stein, who guided Fifty Proof to victory in last year’s Grade 3 Eclipse Stakes, and expects his rider will let the race dictate the terms from post three.
“He’s drawn fairly inside and I think we just let him jump out, and if he settles and sits off somebody, great,” offered Black.
Providing steep opposition in the 12-horse Sir Barton field is the classy William Gierkink mare, Moonlit Beauty.
The six-year-old chestnut, who boasts added-money scores in the Victoriana and Classy ‘N Smart Stakes this year, will carry a field-high 123lbs – – six more than Fifty Proof.
Fifty Proof, who thrilled local fans with a strong front-running effort in the Grade 1 Canadian International in 2010 when fifth, defeated less than two lengths, will have a difficult obstacle to overcome on Sunday racing off a 16-month layoff.
Black, however, is just happy to have the gentle giant back in action.
“For morale, for everybody in the barn, it’s great,” said Black.
The Sir Barton is scheduled as Race 8 on Sunday’s 10-race card, which also includes the $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes (race 6). First post is 1 p.m.
FIELD FOR THE SIR BARTON
POST / HORSE / JOCKEY / TRAINER
1 / Crown’s Path /Gerry Olguin / Greg De Gannes
2 / Bobcaygeon / Patrick Husbands / Julia Carey
3 / Fifty Proof / Justin Stein / Ian Black
4 / Moonlit Beauty / Eurico Rosa da Silva / John LeBlanc, Jr.
5 / Urban Forester / Emma-Jayne Wilson / Ron Sadler
6 / Sir Travis / Steve Bahen / Dan Vella
7 / Kurogane / Jesse Campbell / Paul Attard
8 / Head Honcho / Luis Contreras / Catherine Day Phillips
9 / Courtville / Omar Moreno / Laurie Silvera
10 / Flip for the Coin / Todd Kabel / Vito Armata
11 / Mey’s Rocket / Tyler Pizarro / Justin Nixon
12 / Sky of Grey / Slade Callaghan / Martin Drexler