Race of the Week
Ronaldino shocks the crowd in the Free Press Stakes
Ronaldino shocks the crowd in the Free Press Stakes
It was almost a given that an invader was going to take the 2008 Free Press Stakes for older horses, but it wasn't the invader everyone thought. In what could be called a shocker, Ronaldino, trained by Terry Jordan out of Stampede Park, ran down the heavy favourite, Lookinforthesecret to win.
As expected Lookinforthesecret took an easy early lead down the backstretch and looked to havethe race in the bag going into the turn. It was a smart ride from two time leading rider Alan Cuthbertson that spoiled the perfect ending. 'I knew the only chance I had was to stay close to him (Lookinforthesecret)," said Cuthbertson, "it was only in mid-stretch I knew I had him."
Ronaldino came into the Free Press Stakes with a fourth place finish behind Alberta and Canadian Derby winner Footprint and a win in the Stampede Park Sprint Championship this April.
Lookinforthesecret, trained by Jamie Ness, came into the race looking almost unstoppable on paper, but after a long battle down the stretch with the winner, Lookinsforthesecret was only second best today.
Last year's Free Press winner, Illusive Force, trained by Carl Anderson, was no match for the top two and finished third.