Izvestia Takes Bumpy Road to Victory

Izvestia rallied from a bumping incident at the head of the stretch to win the $111,800 Plate Trial Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine.

Don Seymour, who rode Izvestia, was livid at New York rider Richard Migliore, who was aboard runner-up Iskandar Elakbar, the horse involved in the bumping incident with Izvestia.

Izvestia, owned by Kinghaven Farm, was sandwiched between Iskandar Elakbar and French King at the head of the stretch run when he was bumped. After being steadied, Izvestia dropped behind Iskandar Elakbar, but Seymour, a Canadian rider, persevered and Izvestia came back to win.

“There is no reason for that rider to do what he did,” Seymour said. “He bumped us on the first turn, he crowded us down the backstretch, and at the 5/16ths pole, he really came over.

“I had to protect my horse and I had to watch out for Jimmy (McAleney, on French King) along the rail. We both could have gone down. (Migliore) can ride like that in New York, but he shouldn’t get away with that here.”

Halo’s Honey and Very Formal made late bids and finished third and fourth, respectively.

Izvestia paid $3.80, $3 and $2.70 and was clocked in 1:50 2/5 for 1 1/8 miles.

Izvestia will be in the field for the 131st running of the Queen’s Plate on July 8.