Rookies share the spotlight in Saturday’s Coronation Futurity, Princess Elizabeth
At 2h02, on November 25, 2023 • By WOODBINE
Naptown, a 2-year-old son of Munnings-Gold Medalist, takes on nine in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity, part of a Saturday Woodbine card that also features the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
The 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity, a Tapeta event for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds, is a significant race on the road to the 165th running of The King’s Plate (August 17, 2024) the first jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
The 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth, a Tapeta event for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old fillies, is a key event on the path to the 69th running of the Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser, the first jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Tiara series.
Motion, looking for his first Coronation Futurity triumph, will send out Naptown, who arrives at his latest test off an emphatic maiden-breaking score at Woodbine on October 29th.
Originally slated for the turf, the race was taken off the grass and contested at seven furlongs over the Tapeta. Sent on his way as the slight 3-1 choice in the field of 12, the bay colt, eighth early, was two lengths clear at the stretch call and then cruised home 5 ½ lengths on top in a time of 1:24.49.
“We’ve always liked him,” said Motion. “We had him with us the whole meet at Saratoga and we never got to run him, different circumstances. I thought enough of him to have him up there at Woodbine, so yes, obviously we liked him.”
Owned by Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables LLC, the $120,000 (U.S.) purchase at the Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale debuted at Laurel Park in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight main track race on October 5th.
Bred in Ontario by 552727, Naptown will have the services of jockey Rafael Hernandez on Saturday.
