Runaway Again swung five wide into the stretch and flew past English Actor in the final furlong, drawing off to a two-and-three-quarter length win in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Nov. 7.
Ryan Munger rode the four-year-old Hard Spun gelding for trainer Sid Attard in the nine-furlong race for three-year-olds and up. Runaway Again was the first of two Graded Stakes winners for Hard Spun on the Woodbine card. The stallion was also represented by the filly Pondering, who successfully defended her title in the G3 Bessarabian Stakes.
Breaking from post position one, Runaway Again settled kindly in fourth as the field of six headed into the clubhouse turn.
English Actor, one of two entrants for Chiefswood Stables, led through an opening quarter in :24:58. The two greys, Durham Cup winner William T (Frosted) and Swift Delivery comprised the second flight. War Court, the other Chiefswood hope, raced outside of Runaway Again and 2024 Autumn Stakes champion Wicked Django was sixth.
Jockey Rafael Hernandez took the call on English Actor and had the chestnut son of English Channel free on the lead through a half in :49.61 and maintained the lead past six furlongs in 1:13.64.
Runaway Again, enjoying a smooth trip around the turn, was angled out widest by Munger approaching the head of the lane, and kicked into top gear, passing Wicked Django, William T and charging past English Actor in the final sixteenth to win going away. English Actor held for second. William T was third and Wicked Django finished fourth.
Runaway Again was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs. He is out of the Storm Cat mare Golden Venus, she a half to Eclipse Champion two-year-old and G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Macho Uno and G1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again.
Runaway Again is one of six Graded Stakes winners for his sire, Hard Spun, in 2026. The stallion is also represented by Built (G2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt), Gas Me Up (G2 King Edward Stakes), Moon Spun (G2 Unbridled Sydney Stakes), Bold Journey (G3 Tom Fool), and Pondering (G3 Bessarabian).
Hard Spun will stand the 2027 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $15,000, stands and nurses.
