TORONTO, November 9, 2024 – Elysian Field, under Sahin Civaci, rallied impressively to take the Grade 3 $135,00 Maple Leaf Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine. Trained by Mark Casse for Gary Barber and Team Valor International LLC, the 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of the Smart Strike mare Elysian came into the 1 ¼-mile main track test for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, off a second in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes on Sept. 14. Last year’s Woodbine Oaks winner and King’s Plate runner-up was at the top of her game in the Maple Leaf. Sent off at 3-1, Elysian Field settled near the back in the 11-horse field (Tito’s Calling and Selenaia were scratched). It was a pair of longshots, Aha Moment, and Ecstasy, who tussled on the front end past the wire for the first time, followed by this year’s King’s Plate champ and 5-2 mutuel choice Caitlinhergrtness who crossed over from the outside post quickly to settle in third. Aha Moment held a half-length lead over Ecstasy after an opening quarter in :23.54, while Elysian Field sat ninth. The frontrunning, freewheeling pacesetters continued their upfront tete-a-tete through a half in :47.12, but Caitlinhergrtness was waiting to pounce and was given her cue to take over the proceedings past the three-eighths. It appeared stablemate and multiple graded stakes winner Fashionably Fab presented the main danger, but a host of rivals, including Elysian Field, widest of all contenders, defending Maple Leaf winner Millie Girl, and Queen Regent (GB), had all hit their stride and were each coming with an energetic run. At the wire, Elysian Field, who secured the lead 70 yards out, was 1 ¼-length winner over Millie Girl, who was a half-length clear of Queen Regent. Caitlinhergrtness was fourth. The final time was 2:02.14. Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Maple Leaf Stakes (G3) on November 9, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “Today, we popped out of the gate well and there were some horses hustling for the lead,” said Civaci. “I was happy settling back and watching everything unfold. I had a lot of horse. I just had to follow the right horse. I saw [jockey] Oisin Murphy (aboard Queen Regent), his horse was pretty good, so I followed him, and we found a path and she kicked off down the lane.” “She’s a very professional horse. It’s always nice to sit on these types of horses, they do what you ask. She has some class, and she knows how to run.” Bred by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc., the chestnut filly, who was contesting her third consecutive graded affair, now has a mark of 4-6-0 from 14 starts. She was a $70,000 (U.S.) purchase at the 2022 OBS Company June Two-Year-Olds & Horses of Racing Age Sale. Elysian Field paid $8.70 for the win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
