September 16, 2015

The Grade II Canadian Stakes at WO was about as evenly matched a field as you will get on the turf this year but leave it to the favourite to come through in the clutch as Rip Snortin, an even fifth in the Lake Placid last time out, came up through the inside to score by a gutsy neck. From very modest breeding, she was an allowance winner before being purchased by her current owners but not sports two wins and a second from four starts, two triple-digit speed ratings including the 103-mark earned here, and more than $400.000 in earnings with the chance to earn much more down the line.

Know How Causeway (11.50) was quickest from the gate in the Canadian Stakes and used her outside post to gain an early lead with Sweet Red (7.20) tracking in second and the inside runners, led by Wire Z Wire (7.60), holding their own along the fence. Everyone settled into a nice stride with the leaders down to the rail and as Caricature In Red (7.75) inched forward between rivals, it ensured a hot pace up front that would set things up nicely for the closers. A wall of three lined up behind Know How Causeway down the backstretch as Wire Z Wire backed away to midpack and through an opening half-mile in 46.98, the entire field seemed to be traveling nicely with enough speed up front to make it a race that anyone could win. Sweet Red looked boxed in along the rail and pushed her way out to the two-path, moving her two rivals outside as well, and that forced Wire Z Wire wide but left room at the inside for Rip Snortin (*3.75) and she started to make a run along the rail. Six-furlongs in 1:10.40 saw some changes up front as Tidal Wave (5.85) started her push for the lead four-wide with Caricature In Red still trying to sprint and Know How Causeway making her desperate plea for the wire but as everyone swooped in with a furlong to go, it was Rip Snortin who got the dream run inside and was full of energy. Wire Z Wire emerged with the lead inside the furlong marker as the three inside starters found themselves wider than everyone else but Rip Snortin found another gear and burst forward en route to a neck victory, with Risen Queen (7.95) using an inside run as well to secure third money from a wide Tidal Wave. Caricature In Red wound up a close fifth, with Condottieris Fox (6.85) closing for sixth in front of a tiring Know How Causeway, while Sweet Red backed up after pressing early to finish three-lengths back of the winner. Rounding out the field were Its Taco Time (51.75), Lightem Up Roxie (18.10) and Grand Mystique (11.30), who never got involved from the backfield but still kept up with the field late while earning very good speed ratings for their efforts.

Purchased for a solid $110.000 earlier this year, Rip Snortin was made the favourite in the Grade II Canadian Stakes and came through with a huge effort along the rail to get up for her second victory over the year, while earning a place in the BC F&M Turf starting gate in the process. Two huge speed ratings show that she is the real deal and she will enjoy the extra 1/16 of a mile afforded her at KEE, with a race like the QE II Challenge Cup a perfect stepping stone for her to secure year-end honours as well.

Congratulations goes out to owner Aer Stables and their three-year-old filly Rip Snortin, a rail riding winner of the Grade II Canadian Stakes at WO!

Prediction                          Tidal Wave / Sweet Red / Know How Causeway

Winner                               Rip Snortin

                                              Three-year-old bay filly

                                              Rock Em-Laffin Crown (King Of Nebraska)

Owner                                 Aer Stables

Time                                     46.98, 1:10.40, 1:34.26, 1:46.07

Overall

Rip Snortin                        *3.75 midpack early, rail ride, just up

Wire Z Wire                       7.60 angled out, wide run, missed

Risen Queen                      7.95 inside run, got going too late

Tidal Wave                         5.85 failed to quicken in last strides

Caricature In Red              7.75 between runners, one-paced

Condottieris Fox               6.85 came too late

Know How Causeway     11.50 set pace, faltered

Sweet Red                            7.20 pressed, weakened

Its Taco Time                     51.75 never involved

Lightem Up Roxie             18.10 outrun

Grand Mystique                  11.30 failed to quicken when asked

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES