Three year old filly not only steps up into her first ever stakes events, but her first ever older company race and walks away with the Gr. III ONT Matron event here on Saturday for Nakamura Stables.

• ONT Matron Stakes – Grade III Purse $125.000
• Woodbine Racetrack – For Fillies & Mares Three years old and up
• One mile and a sixteenth- Main track

Just when you figure you “Think” you know how to handicap a thoroughbred event, a race like this one comes along and you throw out all the tools you thought were the keys to your success. Don’t get me wrong, my hats off to Nak and getting Ishtar Viking ready for this affair. Even in talks with him following the race his confidence was unwaivered as I asked was he surprise, he just said ” NO, that’s how I thought she would run. ” Even the morning odds maker put her at 7-2, so who am I to argue and try to figure it out.

The victory is now her second of the season and her fourth win in nine careers starts, bringing her earnings to just better then $106.000. She earned a 98 SRF for her efforts, a major jump from her past two 84 ratings she received in recent mile races. Here is hoping her success continues in future events.

Grabbing the place purse was John Henry’s Red Broom who was giving her all fight to the very wire, only to come up short by a nose in the photo. Let go at some 21-1 odds come post time due to the fact this was his first ever start on the dirt after a career of turf events, she has proven she has the capability at any surface.

Rounding out the $1,437.500 trifecta payout would be Mb Stables Innocent Approach. Showed a little more aggressive approach in the WO Oaks leading up to this event, and trainer was banking on keeping Boulanger in the irons would be productive, but the duo came up a little short on the day.

The minor share of purse money was taking home by Phun Stick ( Sccj Stables ) who was hoping that her stalking effort would pay off later on in the race,but was unable to fire to improve her position.

Also ran’s in order of finish were Hands Up ( The Sidley Stud ), Introverted ( Gdp Inc ) , Cambodia ( Smokey Stover ), Classic Tail ( Ashwood Farms ) and Fifi Trixiebell ( First Street Stables ).

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES