TORONTO, October 25, 2026 — Ciunas continued an impressive run of form at Woodbine, securing a third consecutive victory and the first stakes success of the career with a determined late charge in Sunday’s $150,000 Overskate Stakes. Ridden by leading Woodbine jockey Pietro Moran, the lightly raced four-year-old rallied from the rear to win the 7½-furlong contest on the inner turf course.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Ciunas, who has progressed steadily through the ranks in 2026. Making his debut for trainer Miguel Clement, the grey/roan gelding showed a sharp turn of foot in the closing stages to overcome a competitive field of Ontario-sired runners aged three and older.
Ciunas Capitalises on Strong Early Pace at Woodbine
The early stages of the Overskate Stakes were dominated by Paramount Prince and Hunt Master, who engaged in a spirited contest for the lead. They covered the opening quarter-mile in :21.91, setting a demanding pace over ground officially rated firm.
Ready to Collect, a prominent performer in the 2026 Woodbine Turf Sprint Series, tracked the leading pair in third, with Souped Up positioned close behind. Dark Screen occupied fifth place, while Next Pitch raced sixth. Ciunas and defending champion Rapid Test brought up the rear as the field settled into the 7½-furlong journey.
Paramount Prince, winner of the 2023 King’s Plate, continued to press forward in search of a first turf victory. The leader edged half a length clear of Hunt Master approaching the half-mile marker, reached in :44.83.
Moran remained patient aboard Ciunas as the leading runners continued to battle. Approaching the turn, he briefly allowed his mount to settle at the back of the field before beginning the move towards the leaders.
Ready to Collect advanced as Paramount Prince began to tire, while Souped Up remained in contention. With six furlongs completed in 1:09.73, Ciunas was making rapid progress along the three-path, closing the gap as the race entered its decisive phase.
Ciunas Produces Decisive Late Finish
Inside the eighth pole, Ciunas found room between Ready to Collect and Souped Up. Moran urged the gelding forward, and the response was immediate as Ciunas accelerated past his rivals and established a clear advantage.
Ciunas crossed the finish line 1½ lengths ahead of Souped Up, with Ready to Collect taking third. Rapid Test finished fourth after making late progress.
The winning time was 1:28.40, completing a notable performance that combined patience in the early stages with a powerful finishing effort.
Moran, who partnered Ciunas for the fifth consecutive start, said the strong early pace had helped create the right conditions for the late challenge. He also credited the smooth passage through the opening turn and the opportunity to follow Souped Up into the straight.
The jockey expressed confidence in the gelding’s ability, highlighting the quality of his finishing acceleration and his effectiveness on turf.
Ciunas Continues Remarkable 2026 Progress
Ciunas began his four-year-old campaign in May with a three-length victory over seven furlongs on the main track. The son of Silent Name subsequently won two consecutive races over a mile on Woodbine’s inner turf course, recording Beyer Speed Figures of 90 in both performances.
Moran was aboard for all three victories in the current winning sequence. The earlier successes came when Ciunas was trained by Rachel Halden, before a recent transfer to Clement’s stable.
The gelding’s progress has been steady since his debut season. Unraced at two, Ciunas began his career at three under Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield and won his first two starts. Those performances earned him an opportunity in the Breeders’ Stakes, although he finished last in the nine-runner field.
He subsequently returned to form in the Lake Ontario Stakes, finishing a neck short of victory over 1 1/16 miles to close his three-year-old campaign.
His latest success represents another step forward, with the Overskate Stakes providing his first stakes triumph and extending his winning run to three races.
Ontario-Bred Ciunas Reaches Career Milestone
Bred in Ontario by Jeff Zlonis, Ciunas was recently acquired privately by Zlonis, Steven Bouchey, Madaket Stables LLC and Briles Family Stable. The new connections supplemented the gelding into the Overskate Stakes, a decision rewarded with an immediate return at stakes level.
By Silent Name out of Myrtle’s Grey, a daughter of Oratory, Ciunas improved his lifetime record to six wins and two second-place finishes from 10 starts. His latest victory was his fourth in five appearances during 2026.
The result underlined the gelding’s continued development and his growing reputation as a versatile performer capable of producing strong efforts on both turf and the main track.
For Moran, the victory also reinforced the partnership’s effectiveness, with the jockey having been aboard for each of Ciunas’ three consecutive wins.
Ciunas now has a first stakes victory to his name, adding an important achievement to an already productive four-year-old campaign.
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