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The legendary local trainer picked up his eighth career win in the third leg of Canada's Triple Crown with a 46-1 long shot that was ignored by the betting public. Attfield also happens to own a record eight victories in the Queen's Plate, the first leg of Canada's Triple Crown.
I know what you're thinking - 'What have you done for us in the Prince of Wales, Roger.' (The answer: A measly five wins.)
When the combination of Attfield and jockey Jono Jones hits the track, handicappers really need to take notice. Yes, Perfect Shower entered this race with questionable form with only one win coming from a relatively cheap ($25K) event but Attfield has proven time and again that he must not be ignored.
Jimmy Simms was one of many weekend winners for the Roger Attfield / Jono Jones combo
The 119th running of the $500K Breeders' was truly a chance for handicappers to get rich. Tyler Pizarro steered 29-1 shot Guipago home for place with a thrilling back-of-the-pack charge, while Jim McAleney urged Reservoir up for show money at 5-1. Plate winner Eye of the Leopard finished 11th in the 13 horse field, while Prince of Wales champion Gallant was also off the board finishing sixth.
The tote board lit up like Vegas with payouts of $95.30 to win; a $2,170.50 Exactor; and a $32,715.50 triactor. If you had the foresight to pick Mr. Foricos Two U in fourth position, you could have collected a $130,479.85 superfecta for just a dollar.
Handicappers across the province slammed their palms to their forehead and cried, 'Never again will I let Attfield and Jones get away at such long odds.'
'Never again' lasted as long as most diets when Attfield completed his oh-so-cool long weekend by taking the Seagram Cup with 13-1 shot Palladio.
In terms of hindsight, Attfield really proved his talent (again) this weekend. Five entries, four wins. Even the one that missed would have helped your superfecta ticket.
Roger Attfield's Long Weekend
Saturday
Race 4 - Jimmy Simms (5/2) WIN
Sunday
Race 8 - Perfect Shower (46-1) WIN
Race 10 - House Advantage (5-1) 4th
Monday
Race 2 - Rag and Bone (Even) WIN
Race 8 - Palladio (13-1) WIN
It was a truly great weekend to be wagering on the training game at Woodbine. Attfield's good friend and former Kinghaven Farms compatriot Ian Black put together a stunning long weekend in his own right winning three of eight races including a neat 15-1 upset of the GIII Royal North Stakes with Glitter Rox. Black also notched two place showings, with his remaining entrants finishing no worse than fifth. Black is a multiple million-dollar race winner at Woodbine.
Glitter Rox surprised everyone by winning the Royal North off a layoff including Black himself who stated, "She had a splint. We didn't get her in until April. She was held up early. To be honest, I was prepping her for the Belle Geste (August 23 at Woodbine). I had to start her somewhere. To get a graded win is incredible."
Glitter Rox rocks in the GII Royal North
No kidding. Equally incredible (for me) was nailing the $127.40 exactor when Linda Rice's Canadian Ballet held on for place.
The other major Stakes event at Woodbine this weekend was Sunday's $125K Nandi Stakes won by the Terry Jordan trained Oistins. Terry Jordan is having a ridiculous season at Woodbine currently bringing in winners at a 45.3% clip and in the money a silly 73.6% of the time in 53 starts. At this stage of the season, all Jordan trained horses should go to post at odds of even money. It's virtually a coin flip on whether or not his horse will win.
Oistins won the Nandi impressively under a cool ride from Jim MacAleney in fractions of :22.62 and :46.31 hitting the wire in 1:12.22 for six furlongs.
Hindsight handicapping might be easy, but I guarantee you all of Attfield's entrants in the 2010 Canadian Triple Crown races will be receiving a minimum $2 Win/Place/Show wager from this punter.
Lesson learned. Bet against the proven trainers at your own risk.
Triple Dead Heat fave Wollemi Pine finished fourth on Saturday - but he's still #1 to me.
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