Izvestia Wins Canada’s Triple Crown, $1 Million

Izvestia became an instant millionaire on Sunday, winning a $1-million bonus for capturing the Canadian triple crown of thoroughbred racing with a 6 1/2-length victory in the Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine.

It was the second triple crown in a row for Kinghaven Farms, which swept the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders’ Stakes with With Approval. Don Seymour rode both horses.

“It was without question the most emotional race I’ve ever been associated with,” said Izvestia’s owner, David Willmot. “He’s an amazing animal.”

The gray colt, who won $183,000 from a race purse of $306,000, left little doubt about his superiority in the 3-year-old class. Cozzene’s Prince, a distant second on Sunday, trailed Izvestia by a combined 25 3/4 lengths over the three triple crown events.

Piper Gray placed third initially but was disqualified for interference, moving Secret N Classy up to the show position.

Willmot described the odds against one owner taking back-to-back triple crowns as “astronomical.”

Izvestia covered 1 1/2 miles of rain-soaked turf in 2:33 2/5, more than five seconds off the course record.

“The drastic change in the weather and turf conditions had me concerned,” said Izvestia’s trainer, Roger Attfield. “But this horse is so versatile he simply handles every surface well and destroys his fields.”

The prohibitive favorite, Izvestia returned mutuels of $2.30, $2.40 and $2.10. The host Ontario Jockey Club reported a minus pool of more than $44,000 after one bettor wagered $200,000 on Izvestia to show.