Crystal Visions chases first stakes success in Ruling Angel

TORONTO, May 14, 2025– Saturday’s $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes Presented by Ketel One at Woodbine, for 3-year-old fillies, has attracted 10 starters, including Crystal Visions.

Trained by Stuart Simon, who co-owns with Brent McLellan, the daughter of Bee Jersey out of the A.P. Indy mare You Make Luvin Fun will make her sophomore debut in the seven-furlong main track event after a successful rookie campaign.

In four 2024 starts, Crystal Visions went 1-0-2 and recorded $63,809 in purse earnings.

Crystal Visions broke her maiden in her career bow last July 13. She rallied to notch a 1 ¾-length victory at 5 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track at 7-1.

A step up to stakes company in the Catch A Glimpse – a 6 ½-furlong test over the E.P. Taylor turf – next time out resulted in a disappointing 10th.

“She has been a nice filly,” said Simon. “She had a couple blips in the middle of the year last year. The turf race didn’t go the way we wanted – I think she might still like the turf – but other than that, she always ran a good race. She is a really quality filly.”

Crystal Visions was back on track in her next engagement, a six-furlong main track sprint on October 26, when she finished with vigor over the final furlong to secure third place.

She closed out her 2024 campaign with a solid third, at 42-1, in the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth Stakes, her first try at two turns.

“It was an outstanding effort,” said Simon. “Her race in the Princess Elizabeth, she was stuck behind a slow pace, in amongst horses, bumped around, and she continued to run on. Not too many horses continue to run on like she did – that was a very impressive thing.

“A clearer trip and she could have won that race. You learn from horses all the time and they learn something with each race, and she took everything in stride. A lot of seasoned horses wouldn’t respond like that after being jostled around in that race.”

Crystal Visions posted four breezes from April 18-May 9, including a five-furlong effort in 1:02.00 over the main track this past Friday.

“She has been breezing well, everything in hand, just what we want to see,” said Simon, of the $45,000 purchase at the 2024 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. “She had strong works and strong gallop outs – I think it’s time to get things started. She needs some races to build to go long. We’ll take it from here with the ultimate goal of getting to the Woodbine Oaks (on July 20.) I think she has a bright future.” ​

Crystal Visions was named by Brent McLellan, who took it from a lyric found in Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 classic hit Dreams. Her dam, You Make Luvin Fun, also has Fleetwood Mac ties to it – the 1977 hit “You Make Loving Fun” is also on the Rumours album. ​ ​ ​ ​

Bred in Ontario by Charles Fipke, Crystal Visions was foaled on April 22, 2022.

Amanda Gregory is the groom.

“Chrissy is like the ultimate girl – she is so soft and gentle, but when it’s time to work, she puts her game face on and has a ‘nobody messes with me’ type of attitude,” said Gregory.

Other starters include Star Shoot Stakes winner Brindi (IRE), last year’s Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes winner Somethinabouther, 2024 Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner Aristella, and the Josie Carroll-trained duo Hibiscus and Madame Obey.

Dual hall of fame trainer Mark Casse has won the past three editions of the Ruling Angel – in 2022 with Summertime Magic, in 2023 with Ryder Ryder Ryder and last year with Witwatersrand. He sends out War Signal in this year’s running.

Saskawea, ridden by Jono Jones for trainer Steve Attard, won the inaugural Ruling Angel in 2007.

The Ruling Angel is listed as Race 7 on the 9-race card, with a first post of 1:05 p.m. The wagering menu for the race includes Rolling Double, Exacta, .20 Trifecta, .20 Superfecta, .20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) and $1 Swinger. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com.

Live racing resumes Sunday at 1:05 p.m., highlighted by the running of the King Corrie Stakes.

Field for the Ruling Angel

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Madame Obey – Fraser Aebly – Josie Carroll

2 – Somethinabouther – Pietro Moran – Brendan Walsh

3 – Hibiscus – Rafael Hernandez – Josie Carroll

4 – Shotgun Wedding – Keveh Nicholls – James Bentley Begg

5 – Social Code – Jason Hoyte – Steven Flint

6 – Crystalaire (GB) – Jose Campos – Michael De Paulo

7 – Aristella – Patrick Husbands – Rachel Halden

8 – War Signal – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

9 – Brindi (IRE) – Sofia Vives – Kelsey Danner

10 – Crystal Visions – Ryan Munger – Stuart Simon

Chris Lomon, Woodbine