by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Downbytheseaside got one back on rival Huntsville Saturday night (Nov. 19) in the C$520,000 Governor’s Cup at Woodbine Racetrack. The Brian Brown trained colt delivered a powerful performance to win the final major race of the season for 2-year-olds in 1:51.1.

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Downbytheseaside turns the tables on rival Huntsville to capture the Governor’s Cup on Saturday at Woodbine.

Driven by David Miller, Downbytheseaside was unhurried at the start and got away fifth, directly behind Huntsville, the 1-5 favorite. Air Strike charged off the wings of the gate from post nine and put up an opening quarter-mile of :27.2.

Huntsville got his cue to go from driver Tim Tetrick after the opening quarter-mile and rushed up to grab the front. However, Miller was not going to let the favorite get away and followed Huntsville to the front, ultimately clearing to command at the half in :55.2.

Downbytheseaside and Huntsville began to edge away from their competition on the far turn, as the leader paced a solid third quarter of :27.3 to reach three-quarters in 1:23. In the stretch, Huntsville angled off Miller’s back and took his shot at glory, but Downbytheseaside was fired up and turned aside his rival to win by 3-1/4 lengths.

Saturday’s contest was the first start for both colts since Downbytheseaside finished runner-up to Huntsville in the Breeders Crown.

“I was just kind of waiting to see what Tetrick did and when he moved I thought I better get with him,” said Miller following the race. “My horse got to the front and he swells up when he is on the lead and he was very strong, I never pulled his plugs, he paced right through the wire.”

The Governor’s Cup was the fifth meeting of the season between Downbytheseaside and Huntsville. The season series comes to an end with Huntsville holding a three-to-two advantage, but Downbytheseaside now has a signature victory to be held up against Huntsville’s Breeders Crown score.

“I honestly thought I was second best,” Miller said post race. “But I thought if the trip worked out or one of us got used pretty hard getting where they wanted to go, I maybe could pick it up. I was able to get to the front without too big of fractions and like I said he is a good horse.”

A son of Somebeachsomewhere-Sprig Hanover, Downbytheseaside now has eight wins in 13 starts. The Brown trainee completes his rookie season with earnings of C$644,706 for owners Country Club Acres Inc, Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo.

Huntsville’s (Somebeachsomewhere-Wild West Show) 2-year-old season comes to a close with seven wins and four runner-up finishes in 11 starts. The Ray Schnittker trainee pocked over C$700,000 for his connections this season.

Downbytheseaside and Huntsville each finish 2016 with the title of co-fastest 2-year-old of all-time, as both took a mark of 1:49 in early October at The Red Mile. The standout rookies finished one-two in all five of their meetings this season.

A $2 win ticket on Downbytheseaside in the Governor’s Cup returned $6.70. The top five finishers in Saturday’s rich contest were rounded out by Filibuster Hanover, Bettors Dream and Air Strike.