Hazelbrook pulls off Grade 3 Hendrie upset

TORONTO, July 24, 2022 – Hazelbrook, the second longest shot on the tote board, earned her first stakes victory in taking Sunday’s Grade 3 $156,900 Hendrie Stakes, a 6 ½-furlong Tapeta sprint for filles and mares, three-year-olds and up, at Woodbine.

Trained by Lorne Richards for owner True North Stable, Hazelbrook, a four-year-old daughter of Bayern-Zaphia, was making her second stakes appearance and sixth career start, all coming at Woodbine.

There was an early scramble for the lead as Lorena struck front quickly, but soon found herself in third spot as Artie’s Princess and Dynasty of Her Own settled into first and second, respectively, through an opening quarter timed in :22.22, as Jason Hoyte, aboard Hazelbrook, positioned his 26-1 filly sixth in the field of seven.

Dynasty of Her Own put a head in front of Artie’s Princess after a half in :44.23, with Amalfi Coast in third and Hazelbrook moving up one spot into fifth as the real running commenced.

As the field rounded the turn for home, even-money choice and multiple graded stakes winner Boardroom looked for room along the inside, as Amalfi Coast and Hazelbrook arrived on the scene, setting up a thrilling late-stretch duel to the wire.

Hazelbrook went on to notch a neck win over a game Amalfi Coast, with La Libertee, supplemented to the race, rallying to finish third. Boardroom was fourth.

The final time was 1:15.68.

“I began with her as a two-year old when l was galloping for Lorne at that time,” said Hoyte. “She’s a very smart horse. Every start she’s been improving and improving, but today she really ran her heart out. She was really nice today. My boss and I talked this morning and he told me to try and get her going there. She broke smart, I chased her for like two strides, and then I saw everyone was committed to the outside, so I just took a little hold, and it was easy to get out, and it was really nice.”

Bred in Kentucky by Mike Bilbrey, Hazelbrook came into the Hendrie off a half-length triumph at six panels over the Woodbine Tapeta on June 25. With today’s win, the bay, who was eighth in last September’s Duchess Stakes, is now 4-0-1 from six starts.

She paid $54.10 for the win.