Sir for Sure impresses in winning Breeders' Stakes

It was sweet redemption for the connections of Sir for Sure, who closed the curtain on this year's OLG Canadian Triple Crown with a commanding performance in the $400,400 Breeders' Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine in Toronto.

After a forgettable experience in the Prince of Wales, second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, where Declan Carroll fell off the son of Sligo Bay — Serena's Rose — into the first turn, the jockey took to Twitter soon after and shared, "We will live to fight another day."

On a perfect autumn afternoon at Woodbine, Carroll and Sir for Sure lived up to those words.

Gaston, who hadn't run in either the Queen's Plate or Prince of Wales, broke alertly and was joined by Duke of Love, winner of the latter race, on the front end, while Sir for Sure was eighth of nine through an opening quarter of 24.94 in the 1 1/2-mile test over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

The lead pair were still tussling on the front end through a half reached in: 49.09, as Carroll maintained a patient hand on the Plate Trial winner, the duo running comfortably along in seventh.

A half-length in front at Robert Geller's stretch call, Sir for Sure began to power away from his rivals as stablemate, fellow Mark Casse trainee, Hall of Dreams, second in the Queen's Plate, came with a strong late run along the rail.

At the wire, Sir for Sure, bred and owned by Rene and Darlene Hunderup, was a 2 1/4-length victor. Hall of Dreams completed the Casse exactor, while Lac Macaza was third. Dancin in Da'nile finished fourth but was relegated to seventh for interference in the stretch, elevating Gaston to complete the top four.

The final time was 2:28.88.

Kathryn Sullivan, assistant to Casse, was thrilled to see the bay gelding, third in the Plate