The ONT Colleen Stakes (Grade 3)- $150.00 Purse
WO- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile on the Turf
July 25, 2026

Coming into the ONT Colleen Stakes off a win in the $275.00 Tepin, a race that half of this field also ran in, Savvy Instinct did indeed seem like the savvy choice, although she did not promise to pay much. She’d be our pick, and went off as an 8/5 favorite, and she would back up that support with a wise stalking trip to grab the win. It’s her fourth career win, and the second for trainer Mb Stables. L Salles is the victorious rider, and does so for the first time. Congratulations to them! The winning time of 1:33.25 is identical to last year’s winning time in the race and they are tied for the third quickest in the stake’s history. Let’s take a look at how it happened!

(1/4 Mile- :22.97)- From the outside, Perception Plus breaks well for Spb Racing and is able to clear the field midway down the backstretch which will allow her to get to the rail. Running in second, about a length and a half behind her is Diablo Diablo’s Jump Into Action. The race’s eventual winner, Savvy Instinct, runs in the third spot for Mb Stables, half a length behind Jump Into Action while running on her inside. In the middle of the field, Williams9’s Rowena holds the fourth spot while three wide, and the D J C Racing Stables- trained Patronize is next on the rail. Viscancia runs in the lane between them for Nakamura Stables while the La Canada Racehorses entry, A Bod For Sin is four wide. Trailing the field, not surprisingly, is the deep closer from TwinTowersRacing, Vast.

(½ Mile- :46.14)- Perception Plus is all by herself out in front of this field, with a decisive advantage of three lengths as they move around the far turn. The second position sees a battle between Savvy Instinct and Jump Into Action, and there is very little separating them at this point of the race. A length behind them, we have a group of three with Rowena having a nice opportunity in the third lane here if she wanted to make a push. Viscancia and Patronize run to her inside. Meanwhile, A Bod For Sin looks sluggish, and falls to the back with Vast. As for Vast, we haven’t seen her show signs of making her charge as of yet.

(Top of Stretch, 2F To Go)- Around the turn, and early into the stretch, things are looking good for Perception Plus as she continues to show the way around the track. Now, Spb Racing will hope that she has enough to hold on to the wire, but there is a concern coming in the form of Savvy Instinct. On exit of the turn, Savvy Instinct puts away Jump Into Action as that one falters, and she will cut into the leader’s advantage a bit with plenty of time in the stretch. Rowena is also showing interest, as she runs in fourth while desperately needing to get a strong result out of the ONT Colleen Stakes. Patronize runs level with the rest of the field, but will need to find another gear to have a shot. Similar could for Viscancia. On the inside, Vast is starting to get rolling with plenty of room to make it happen. Now, we wait and see if she can make that powerful close. A Bod For Sin is now alone at the back.

(Finish- 1:33.25)- With a furlong to go, Perception Plus is still the leader, but the rest of the field is closing in on her. Savvy Instinct is now a length back, and it simply does not look like the pacesetter stands a chance of holding her off, but maybe she can still secure second. Savvy Instinct has had, well, savvy instincts with her trip all race long, first in that she did not worry about Perception Plus’ big lead as L Salles waited for the ideal time in the stretch. Gradually getting closer within the stretch, and no one else to worry about behind her, the race seemed to be in the bag. Approaching the wire, she would indeed complete the pass, and would go on to win by close to length. There’s a photo for second as Perception Plus tried to hang on for that spot, but it instead will go to Rowena. It’s not a win for Rowena, but this is a great result for her, a big rebound from her last four races and that will give some renewed hope that maybe she can get back to that two year old form. Patronize can be seen in the place photo as well, as she finished fourth, turning it on mid-stretch with a run that was impressive once it began but was too delayed. Vast was unable to get closer than fifth, topping Jump Into Action, Viscancia, and A Bod For Sin.

About The Winner- Savvy Instinct, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by L Salles, is a three year old filly by Natural Instinct and is out of Tactfully. She was bred in Ontario by Mb Stables as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in seven starts, her third stake win and first graded win. Her career earnings are now $490.94.

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES