Shillelagh Slew earns Ontario Derby crown

Smashing the track record in relentless fashion, David James' three-year-old

SHILLELAGH SLEW (Chief Seattle) stole the

Ontario Derby (Can-G3)

while going 1

1/8 mile over Woodbine's Polytrack on Sunday by 7 1/4 lengths.

Coming off a win in the Canadian Derby (G3), and going off under the

field's heaviest impost 121 pounds, the Michael DePaulo-conditioned colt stalked the leader

Stradivinsky (Stravinksy) through :24 2/5, :48 1/5, 1:13 3/5, 1:38 4/5 fractions.

Waiting until the far turn to make his move, the Quebec-bred dark bay proceeded to

take command of the field. Not to be out done, Royal Challenger (Touch Gold)

vainly chased the leader down, only to find he left himself with too much real

estate to make up late as Shillelagh Slew swept under the wire in 1:51 3/5.

"He's just come into himself," jockey Dino Luciani said. "He's done

everything we asked and he proved it once again today how good he really is."

Finishing behind Royal Challenger was Storm Caller (Stormy Atlantic), Ports N

Porsches (Native Regent), Oh So Awesome (Awesome Again) and the exhausted

Stradivinsky. Seaside Retreat (King Cugat) scratched.

Shillelagh Slew paid $6.40, $3.20, $2.50, improving his bankroll to

$712,877 with a 10-5-0-3 line. The game runner-up returned $3.50 and $2.70 at 2-5,

and Storm Caller, who ran until empty, paid $3.50. The exactor was worth $18.80

while the triactor paid $107.80

for 1-7-4.

Shillelagh Slew, bred by Quebec breeder Haras Du Chevrillard, is out of

Ontario-bred Frippalina (Theatrical [Ire]) and is her fifth registered foal.