Trainer Dale Desruisseaux is hoping for a touch of moonlight luck when his promising two-year-old Highwaytothemoon lines up for the bet365 Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine this Sunday, while Tony Gattellaro’s Erie Shores aims to make waves in the Cup & Saucer Stakes on the same card.
Desruisseaux’s Rising Star Prepares for Takeoff
For Desruisseaux, Highwaytothemoon represents a young talent with both potential and personality. The Ransom the Moon gelding was unlucky in the Simcoe Stakes in August, boxed in for much of the race before finishing a close third — a result that left his trainer both encouraged and slightly frustrated.
“We got trapped down along the inside and had nowhere to go until the eighth pole,” Desruisseaux admitted. “When he finally got out, he didn’t kick on the way I expected — but that’s racing. I thought it was his to win.”
Owned by Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc., Highwaytothemoon impressed on debut in early August, duelling early before drawing clear by over three lengths in a sharp 5½-furlong test. Since then, Desruisseaux has fine-tuned his young sprinter’s preparation, mixing main track and turf workouts — including a lively four-furlong breeze in :46.20 over the grass on September 21.
“He’s been training great,” the trainer said. “His action actually looks smoother on the turf, which surprised me because his breeding doesn’t really shout grass. But he moves well, and we’ll find out Sunday.”
Regular rider Rafael Hernandez takes the reins again, with Highwaytothemoon set to break from post four in a competitive seven-horse field for the $175,000 Algonquin Stakes, a five-furlong inner turf sprint for two-year-olds.
Field for the bet365 Algonquin Stakes – Race 7
1 – Rogue Legend (GB) – Walter Rodriguez – Wesley Ward
2 – Reb Five – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse
3 – Cy Fair – Sahin Civaci – George Weaver
4 – Highwaytothemoon – Rafael Hernandez – Dale Desruisseaux
5 – Gypsy Art – Victor Espinoza – Wesley Ward
6 – Casson – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
7 – Shak Town – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
Fans can follow the action live via HPIbet.com or bet365.com, with multiple wagering options including Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, and Pick 4 pools.
Erie Shores Gears Up for Cup & Saucer Test
While Desruisseaux hopes his “Moon” finds orbit, trainer Tony Gattellaro will be looking for his own moment of breakthrough when Erie Shores steps up to stakes company in the $250,000 Cup & Saucer Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for Canadian-foaled two-year-olds.
A homebred for Chiefswood Stables Ltd., the son of Yorkton made a striking debut when closing strongly to finish third on August 24. Gattellaro believes the gelding’s imposing frame and fluid stride mark him as a horse for the future.
“He’s one of the best-striding horses I’ve ever had,” the trainer said. “He got stopped mid-race last time, but once he found his rhythm again, he was flying. We’ve always viewed him as a King’s Plate type.”
Gattellaro has managed Erie Shores carefully, giving him time to mature before this big assignment. The gelding’s recent five-furlong work in 1:01.20 has boosted the team’s confidence heading into Sunday’s feature.
“He’s training beautifully and has such a calm temperament,” said Gattellaro. “He’s ready to take the next step.”
Rider Fraser Aebly retains the mount as he edges closer to the $3 million earnings mark for the season.
Another notable contender is Dixie Law, a filly trained by Dale Desruisseaux and bred by Hillsbrook Farms. After a sparkling debut win and a solid sixth in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes, she now takes on the boys.
“It’s a natural progression,” said Desruisseaux. “She’s got a great mind and handles everything well. We’re expecting another honest effort.”
Field for the Cup & Saucer Stakes – Race 9
1 – Military Time – Jose Campos – Mark Casse
2 – Erie Shores – Fraser Aebly – Tony Gattellaro
3 – Gone With Duwyn – Ryan Munger – Barb Minshall
4 – Buium – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
5 – Twentytwo Soles – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
6 – Backstreet Emma – Eswan Flores – Mike De Paulo
7 – Princecrest – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
8 – Dixie Law – Rafael Hernandez – Dale Desruisseaux
9 – Thundermaker – Sahin Civaci – Kevin Attard
10 – Oscar’s Encore – Sofia Vives – Joe Sharp
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