Tyson made it two straight graded-stakes scores after taking the Grade 2, US$132,070 Seagram Cup on Saturday at Woodbine.
Sent off as the 2-5 choice, the 4-year-old colt trained by Josie Carroll was taken to the front early by Rafael Hernández in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event for 3-year-olds and up. Carrothers shadowed the leader from second, and Clear Destination and Kingmax were positioned in third and fourth in that order.
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Reaching the opening quarter-mile in a tepid 25.26 seconds, Tyson held a two-length advantage over Carrothers, and the trio of Clear Destination, Artie’s Storm and Kingmax watched the leaders duke it out through a half-mile in 49.88 seconds.
As the field turned for home, the head-to-head battle continued on the front end with Tyson along the inside eventually emerging with a clear lead, taking a half-length advantage at the stretch call and converting it into a three-length win with a time of 1:43.26.
Jockey Rafael Hernandez sat chilly on TYSON ($2.90), shook off a stubborn Carrothers, and easily won the $175,000 Seagram Cup Stakes (G2) at @woodbinetb. This 4yo colt by @Gainesway's Tapit was trained Josie Carroll. Congrats to the connections! ?? pic.twitter.com/e1MiSztqt6
— TVG (@TVG) July 29, 2023
Carrothers fended off a late rally from Artie’s Storm to secure second. Clear Destination was fourth followed by Kingmax and Seventyseven Stone.
Hernández, aboard for Tyson’s Dominion Day (G3) triumph on July 1, once again was impressed by the determined effort from the 4-year-old son of Tapit out of Honouring.
“He’s a really nice horse,” he said. “Josie told me, ‘Raffi, just play it by ear. It’s a small field. Just see what happens and try to give a good race to the horse.’ He’ll do anything you want him to do. He showed up today.”
John Sikura, who co-bred and co-owns Tyson under the Hill ’n’ Dale Equine Holdings banner along with Stretch Run Ventures, lauded the effort of the colt he named after former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.
“It’s one of our best pedigrees, one that we’ve cultivated for more than 30 years,” Sikura said. “I have great admiration for Mike Tyson, and I thought this is a special horse, so I wanted to name him Tyson. Wonderful horse, beautifully bred, and I want to thank everyone at the farm for the great job they’ve done and Josie for being a magnificent trainer and holding this horse together and getting him on the right track. It looks like he’s going to be a champion. I love Canada and I love Woodbine. It’s great to be here, particularly when you win.”
Carroll, who won the 2011 Seagram Cup with James Street and the 2019 and 2020 editions with Mr Ritz, also had rave reviews for the Kentucky-bred colt who is 5: 4-0-1.
“This horse just improves steadily,” Carroll said. “He’s a very unseasoned horse compared to his competition. He has matured so much with racing. He’s gone from a big, goofy boy to a horse that has just settled down and turned into a very classic kind of horse.”
Tyson paid $2.90 to win.
