By Stefanie Grimm
Supplemented into this spot after running third in the restricted Queenston Stakes earlier this month, Brachetto (Vekoma) took none of the money but all of the glory, springing the 18-1 upset Saturday in the GIII Marine Stakes at Woodbine.
A six-furlong specialist who had previously tried no further than the seven-furlong Queenston, the Julia Carey trainee took three tries to break his maiden, doing so in his 3-year-old debut May 10 before trying stakes company.
Breaking wide in this field of six for this 1 1/16-mile stretch out, Brachetto stayed in line with the field through the opening strides before settling back behind the inside speed to race fifth several paths off the rail into the far turn. 6-5 race favorite Casson (Caravaggio) enjoyed an early advantage from the rail but was tracked intently by Fire and Wine (Lexitonian) who kept things tight on the lead.
Now whipping-in the back quartet, the longshot shot on the board had to pass them all as the field hit the half-mile pole in :47.01.
Things began to bunch up with Casson now solo up front but Brachetto was motoring up the inside, riding the fence into the stretch with his sights set on Magical Factor (The Factor) who had already run down Casson. Tipped outside of that pair, he closed with a flourish and just edged past in the final strides to earn his first graded stakes win.
“I really thought he would enjoy the two turns and I'm very glad he showed that today at the races, definitely his stiffest test, but he's passed it with flying colors, and I'm very chuffed with him today,” said winning rider Ryan Munger. “He just plugged away doggedly, and he got there at the line.”
Pedigree Note:
The 11th graded stakes winner for Vekoma, Brachetto is one of nine winners from as many to race for the Include mare Colorino. He is a homebred for the McKagues who purchased his dam, a half to a pair of stakes runners, for $30,000 at the 2005 Keeneland November Sale.
After not producing a foal in 2024, she had a Frost colt last year named Refosco. She was bred to leading Canadian sire Reload for this season but has not yet reported a foal.
The biggest price in the field #5 BRACHETTO ($38.60) ran down the leaders late to win the $150,000 Marine Stakes (G3) at @WoodbineTB. The son of Vekoma (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @Ryan_Munger95 and is trained by Julia Carey. pic.twitter.com/KDG9kVvcXV
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 27, 2026
Saturday, Woodbine
MARINE S.-GIII, C$162,000, Woodbine, 6-27, 3yo, 1 1/16m (AWT), 1:44.94, ft.
1–BRACHETTO, 118, c, 3, by Vekoma
1st Dam: Colorino, by Include
2nd Dam: Regrets Only, by Black Tie Affair (Ire)
3rd Dam: Midnight Rapture, by Giboulee
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Dr. Ross
and Brenda McKague; B-Ross A. McKague (MB); T-Julia
Carey; J-Ryan Munger. C$90,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2,
$122,409. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report &
5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Magical Factor, 118, g, 3, The Factor–Think Magic, by Malibu
Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
O/B-Chiefswood Stables Limited (ON); T-Rachel Halden.
C$36,000.
3–Casson, 118, c, 3, Caravaggio–Zee Ro Drop, by Lemon Drop
Kid. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP).
O-Manfred and Penny Conrad; B-Ballycroy Training Centre &
Villa Rosa Farms (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$19,800.
Margins: HF, 3 1/4, 8 1/4. Odds: 18.30, 1.55, 1.35.
Also Ran: Yukon Striker, Yoshii, Fire and Wine.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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