Fireball Merlin wins Euro Turf Series opener at Woodbine Racetrack

TORONTO – It was a historic win for Fireball Merlin and jockey Luis Contreras.

Contreras guided Fireball Merlin to a 3 3/4-length win in the inaugural clockwise Euro Turf Series race at Woodbine Racetrack. Woodbine is introducing clockwise racing this year, a shift from the traditionally run counter-clockwise events.

Up to 40 races will make up the Euro Turf Series, making Woodbine the first North American track to offer clockwise racing on a regular basis. Major turf races like the Breeders’ Stakes and Woodbine Mile will remain counter-clockwise.

Clockwise races will go on turf only and reduce the wear and tear on the final turn and backstretch of the 1 1/2-mile E.P. Taylor course. They will generally cover 5 1/2 furlongs to utilize the area from the traditional first turn down to the finish line, which is rarely used as most counter-clockwise races don’t require two turns.

“It’s different, but it’s fun at the same time,” said Contreras. “My horse handled it pretty good.

“We got a good break and good position into the first turn. Turning for home we were in front and the last sixteenth of a mile I had no problems.”

The five-year-old Curlin gelding breezed four furlongs in 52.60 seconds, clockwise, over the E.P. Taylor turf course June 4 in his final EuroTurf prep. He went to post as the 3-1 second choice in a field of seven.

“We galloped him twice the wrong way on the training turf course and then we worked him a half-mile the wrong way out here (on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course) the other day and he hugged the rail,” said trainer Mike Keogh. “He gets it.

“He’s a funny horse with his leads in the morning, but he gets which lead to be on here.”

Fireball Merlin covered the five-furlong distance in 57.71 seconds and paid $8 to win.

The next EuroTurf Series event goes Sunday as part of a card featuring the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes.