Kara’s Orientation became the second Grade 2 winner in seven days for the Eddie Woods sale program, with his front-running victory in the $252,000 Sky Classic S. (G2) at Woodbine on August 21.
 
The 4-year-old son of Orientate opened up a 17+-length lead after the first half mile under rider Emile Ramsammy, then hung tough to win the 10-furlong event by daylight over the soft turf course. The Sky Classic win comes right on the heels of the super-impressive Saratoga Special (G2) triumph by undefeated juvenile and Woods Sales grad Union Rags last Monday.

Kara’s Orientation was winning his first Graded stakes, following runner-up efforts in the Canadian Derby (G3) and Toronto Cup last year. The dark bay/brown colt was bred in Kentucky by Stewart L. Armstrong, and sold by Eddie Woods, agent, at the 2009 Keeneland April Sale of Juveniles in Training. Kara’s Orientation has won every year he’s raced, ages two through four, for a career record of 21-6-6-1 and $383,086. In 2011, he has three wins and a second in five outings.

Trainer Steve Chircop called Kara’s Orientation “amazing” immediately after the Woodbine race. “I was very concerned early on,” Chircop told the media. “I wanted him in front by about three or four lengths in a perfect world. To see him open up like that, you’re kind of wondering, ‘When’s he going to stop?’ But the horse has been doing amazing.”   

Kara's Orientation completed the 1 1/4-miles in 2:04.87 over a course rated “good.” Facing a field comprised entirely of Graded stakes horses, including two earners of more than $800,000, he led by as many a 17 1/2 lengths while posting fractions of :25.78, :48.54, and 1:12.69. As late as the quarter pole he led by eight lengths, with the final margin of victory 2 ¼ at the wire.

Kara’s Orientation is one of 49 Graded stakes winners sold by Eddie Woods, an alumni group which includes Champions Big Brown, Left Bank and Midnight Lute.