Eye of the storm Hurricane Clair, under the steady hand of rider Eswan Flores, was simply in a category of her own in the $100,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine. After finishing fifth in last year’s edition of the 1 1/16-mile feature for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, Hurricane Clair took command early and was never tested en route to an impressive 3 ¾-length victory. With the win, the bay daughter of Silent Name (JPN)–Hurricane Lorraine notched her third career stakes badge for owners David Rowbotham, Rodney Carpenter and Tony Boogmans. It was also a banner occasion for Flores, who netted a career-high-tying fourth stakes win in what’s been his best season since 2012. As the 4-5 choice Saturday, Hurricane Clair paid $3.80. Hurricane Clair and Eswan Flores. Michael Burns Photography Seeing ‘Red’ Watsonville Red, at 10-1, overcame the odds to capture the seventh contest on Woodbine’s Saturday afternoon program for owners John and Diana Russell. With champion jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson in the irons, Watsonville Red worked diligently to find space in a crowded 10-horse pack. In position after angling wide, the sophomore son of Hard Spun–Ice Festival struck the lead past the furlong marker and held firm for the 1 ¼-length tally. Trained by Mike De Paulo, who scored a hat trick on Sunday’s abbreviated card, Watsonville Red has earned nearly $105,000 after being purchased for $65,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He paid $23.90 on Saturday. Watsonville Red and Emma-Jayne Wilson. Michael Burns Photography Cheers! Exactly three weeks after a runner-up effort in his professional debut, Wine After Whiskey hung on just long enough to secure the third race on Woodbine’s Sunday card for career win number one. Teamed with Woodbine’s leading rider Rafael Hernandez, the freshman Reload gelding showed sharp early speed along the rail to nab the lead and dug in gamely to hold off 22-1 rival Pepper Patch by a neck at the wire. Wine After Whiskey is trained by Michelle Love, who also bred the chestnut with Heather Stringer and co-owns him with Mentec Mississauga Industrial Equipment Ltd., and Kathy Biers. The chestnut paid $3.80 for his maiden-breaking victory. Wine After Whiskey. Michael Burns Photography Share This:Share
