March to the Arch rallies to take Toronto Cup

Live Oak Plantation’s homebred 3-year-old March to the Arch unleashed a powerful kick in upper stretch to blow past the field en route to a 1 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Toronto Cup over the Woodbine turf course.

It was the first stakes win for the son of Arch out of the German mare Daveron, who was a listed winner in her homeland before shipping to the United States, where she won the Ballston Spa S. (G2) and Beaugay S. (G3). Daveron is out of Darwinia, whose full sister is the dam of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Animal Kingdom.

March to the Arch was allowed to settle soon after the break by jockey Gary Boulanger, and remained near the back of the eight-horse field through the first six furlongs, which went in 1:11.99. Boulanger swung five-wide into the stretch for clear running, and March to the Arch responded with zeal, flying past his foes in the final furlong to win going away in 1:48.07 on the “good turf”.

“He’s just a nice horse that can handle anything,” said Boulanger of the winner. “He’s got a pretty big move. The more you get to know him, you trust him that you’ve got to get him back and get him settled and he’ll come. He showed it today.”

March to the Arch, who missed by a nose in Tampa Bay Downs’ Sophomore S. last year, is now 3-2-0 and has earned $130,374.

March to the Arch captures the 2018 Toronto Cup at Woodbine – Michael Burns photo