Special Forces Faces High-Profile Foes in Autumn

Eight hopefuls, together with a number of graded stakes winner Special Forces , reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart , and 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) champ Sir Winston , are set to contest the CA$175,000 Autumn Stakes (G2) Oct. 14 at Woodbine. 

A 6-year-old son of Candy Ride   trained by Kevin Attard, who co-owns with Soli Mehta, Special Forces will chase his second Autumn score, having won the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event for 3-year-olds and upward two years ago. 

Sent off at 6-1, the gelding, under Justin Stein, rallied strongly down the lane to secure a half-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race stopping the clock in 1:42.36. Sir Winston was second, Halo Again  finished third and Mighty Heart was fourth. All four are set to square off in the Autumn. 

“I believe he is at all times been a very good horse,” mentioned Attard. “Up till he obtained injured he was operating towards the most effective older horses on the grounds at Woodbine and was competing proper with them. Any time you must cease a horse for an prolonged time frame you at all times marvel, ‘Have they misplaced a step?’ or take into account what stage they’re going to be capable of come again at. I believe he is clearly put that to relaxation after his final race.” 

Attard, nearing 570 profession coaching wins, continues to be impressed by his constant and resilient performer. 

“Earlier than we ran him the primary time this 12 months, I knew he was good and again to himself. I used to be eagerly awaiting him getting again to the races. There aren’t many occasions you come again and hook a Belmont winner (Sir Winston on Aug. 19). We ran a very good second. I used to be pleased with the race that my horse ran.”  

Particular Forces made his debut Could 25, 2017, at Churchill Downs, ending fifth. He broke his maiden in his seventh begin Aug. 5, 2018, in a maiden non-obligatory claiming race at Woodbine. 

“He simply has an awesome flip of foot,” raved Attard. “He actually closes arduous down the lane. He is an thrilling horse to look at and a horse we claimed which makes it much more particular simply to see the advance in him. He likes to sit down in the back of the pack and include an enormous run. These ones are at all times thrilling to look at.”  

Sir Winston and Mighty Coronary heart are each three-time winners on the primary observe at Woodbine, and Halo Once more is trying to enhance in his second begin following a 13-month layoff.