Flop delivered a dominant performance in Saturday’s $250.000 Coronation Futurity at Woodbine, controlling the pace from start to finish to capture the 1 1/8-mile State Bred stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings foaled in Canada under Luis Saez for Mb Stables. The bay gelding posted a final time of 1:48.44 over a fast track, earning his fourth career victory from six starts. Making his first attempt at the classic 1 1/8-mile distance, Flop demonstrated exceptional versatility and stamina while confirming his status as one of the top Canadian-bred juveniles of his generation with a decisive victory in this prestigious provincial stakes.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the Coronation Futurity, Flop broke alertly from post two to establish the early lead through an opening quarter mile in :47.2. Open Invitation, breaking from post four, settled into second position under Lezcano, tracking the leader closely. Contractor occupied third in the early going, while Oak Ridge Boy broke from the rail and raced in fourth. Daddy Dime settled into sixth position, with Red Party in fifth. Spanish Armada broke from the outside post seven and occupied seventh as the field completed the opening quarter.

Through the half-mile marker reached in 1:11.2, Flop maintained his advantage on the front end, continuing to set comfortable fractions while under minimal pressure. Open Invitation remained in second, keeping close contact with the leader while biding his time. Contractor held third position, continuing to track the top two. Oak Ridge Boy moved up to fourth, improving from his earlier position. Daddy Dime raced in sixth, while Spanish Armada occupied seventh. Red Party continued from fifth as the field approached the far turn.

As the field reached the mile marker in 1:35.4, Flop continued to show the way on the front end with his lead remaining intact. Open Invitation had closed the gap slightly, moving into position to challenge as they straightened for home. Contractor remained in third, staying within striking distance of the top two. Oak Ridge Boy advanced to fourth, positioning himself for a potential late rally. Daddy Dime continued from sixth, while Spanish Armada raced in seventh. Red Party occupied fifth as the field prepared for the stretch drive.

In the final furlong, Flop responded gamely to the challenge from Open Invitation, digging in determinedly under Saez’s urging. The leader maintained his advantage through the final sixteenth, drawing clear to secure the victory. Open Invitation finished strongly to claim second but could not reach the winner despite his best efforts. Contractor held on well to secure third after racing in contention throughout. Daddy Dime rallied from sixth to finish fourth, while Oak Ridge Boy completed the top five after his forward move faltered in the stretch. Spanish Armada finished sixth after racing at the back throughout, with Red Party fading to seventh after showing some early interest. The winner crossed the finish line 1 1/4 lengths in front of the runner-up.

Each Runner Mentioned

Flop broke alertly to establish the lead through the opening quarter in :47.2, maintained his advantage at the half-mile marker in 1:11.2, continued to show the way at the mile marker in 1:35.4, and held off all challengers to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:48.44 for his fourth career victory.

Open Invitation settled into second through the opening quarter, maintained that position at both the half-mile and mile markers, closed the gap in the stretch, and finished strongly to claim second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths while extending his streak of runner-up finishes.

Contractor raced in third position through the opening quarter, held third at both the half mile and mile markers, and stayed on well to secure third, beaten a nose for second in his first stakes attempt.

Daddy Dime occupied sixth position through the opening quarter, maintained sixth at the half mile marker, continued from sixth at the mile marker, and rallied in the stretch to finish fourth after making up ground late.

Oak Ridge Boy raced in fourth through the opening quarter, improved to fourth at the half mile marker, advanced to fourth at the mile marker, but flattened out in the stretch to finish fifth in his route debut.

Spanish Armada broke from the outside and settled into seventh early, maintained seventh at both the half mile and mile markers, and finished sixth, unable to make an impact in his first stakes attempt.

Red Party occupied fifth position through the opening quarter, maintained fifth at the half mile marker, continued from fifth at the mile marker, but retreated in the stretch to finish seventh, struggling with the distance.

Winner’s Profile & What’s Next

Flop, a bay gelding by People Pleaser out of Spun Around, was bred and is owned by Mb Stables in Ontario. The victory pushes his lifetime earnings to $248.800 with four wins from six career starts. Having proven his effectiveness at 1 1/8 miles with this State Bred stakes triumph, Flop has established himself as a top Canadian-bred juvenile heading into the winter months. Connections could target additional Ontario-bred stakes or potentially venture beyond provincial restrictions as they plot a three-year-old campaign for 2026, with the possibility of aiming for Canadian classics restricted to provincial-Breds or testing open company to further his development.

Track: Fast
Time: :47²  1:11²  1:35⁴  1:48²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 4 Paid 7.80
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 4 – 3 Paid 76.40

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded