by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, May 6, 2005… Stonebridge Regal ($2.40, $2.10) paced the fastest three-year-old mile of the 2005 North American racing season Friday evening at Woodbine, as he recorded a 3¾-length victory, clocked in 1:49.3, during the C$83,000 final of the Diplomat Pacing Series for three-year-olds.

The Stakes record for the Diplomat (formerly known as the Mohawk Pacing Series) also fell, as Stonebridge Regal (Artsplace—Lady Joanna) shaved a full second off the mark, which Jr Mint set in 2003 while over the Mohawk seven-eighths.

WEG Photo

Stonebridge Regal paced the fastest three-year-old mile of the 2005 North American racing season Friday evening at Woodbine, clocked in 1:49.3 during the C$83,000 final of the Diplomat Pacing Series for three-year-olds.

Stonebridge Regal, who was driven by Jack Moiseyev for trainer/co-owner Bob McIntosh, notched his fourth consecutive victory and lowered his life’s mark via the effort. The bay now has a seasonal record of 7-2-0 from nine starts after going unraced as a two-year-old.

Stonebridge Regal, I Zee and Arties Samartie comprised a three-horse McIntosh-trained and co-owned entry in the dash, which had just five betting interests, resulting in the absence of show wagering for the affair.

I Zee, in rein to Chris Christoforou, closed hard in the lane, nosing out Lis Mara and driver Paul MacKenzie for the place spot. Arties Samartie, piloted by Mike Saftic, finished fourth, while Great Again, with Jody Jamieson at the controls, finished fifth.

The Stonebridge Regal — Lis Mara exactor (1-5) returned a miniscule $4.60, while the Stonebridge Regal — Lis Mara – Great Again (1-5-4) triactor returned $28.00.

After leaving from the rail, Stonebridge Regal sat third through the opening half-mile. Lis Mara went straight to the top off the switch from the seven-hole and cut the opening quarter in :25.2 before scampering the half in :54.2. Moiseyev angled Stonebridge Regal out first-over just after the half and the duo was a half-length in arrears of Lis Mara as he met the third call in 1:22.4. Stonebridge Regal then jogged home impressively under minimal stretch urging from Moiseyev.

“It is only May and this colt just seems to get better and better and stronger and stronger,” said McIntosh, who conditions Stonebridge Regal for his partners Robert Kauffman, Angie Stiller and the W Springtime Racing Stb.“He’s really easy on himself. Like I’ve said before, a lot of them can go fast, but the great ones can carry it [their speed].”

During the winner’s circle interview with Woodbine Entertainment’s Ken Middleton, McIntosh was asked if it is too early to put Stonebridge Regal in the same category as Village Jolt and Rocknroll Hanover, in terms of potential and talent.

“I don’t think so really. I think he’ll make his presence known,” McIntosh said of Stonebridge Regal, who with his Diplomat performance joined Ponder and Whosurboy as the only horses to put in sub-1:50 miles in Canada so far this year. “He’s a good colt. We didn’t race him last year, but he’s just got more in the tank for this year.”

McIntosh then indicated that Stonebridge Regal, who also captured the Youthful Pacing Series finale in Stakes record time, has some big tilts coming up in the near future.

“He’s heading back home to the Provincial Cup at Windsor [eliminations scheduled for May 22] and then we’ll go from there – hopefully to the Burlington [June 4 at Woodbine] and North America Cup [eliminations at Woodbine on June 11].”