Il Malocchio by a head in thrilling renewal of Trillium Stakes

TORONTO, July 23, 2023—Il Malocchio, rallying strongly on the outside, was up in the shadow of the wire to eke out a head victory in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Trillium Stakes, presented by Stella Artois.

Angelou outdueled the 3-2 favorite Souper Hoity Toity by a neck for second but had her number taken down after the stewards ruled she had interfered with that rival during the stretch run.

The Trillium, a 1 1/16 mile main track race for fillies and mares, went with a field of eight.

Il Malocchio, a 5-year-old trained by Marty Drexler, returned $18 for her well-earned victory under the red-hot Sahin Civaci.

“We had her down in the U.S. (Palm Meadows) for the winter to get her started,” said Drexler. “We started her in Kentucky (Turfway Park on March 25).

“Off Lasix, it wasn’t the best for her, and she was a little bit flat that day and then we came back here. Last time (Grade 3 Belle Mahone, on June 3), she caught in a pace [battle] on the front and she doesn’t like that, so this is much better.”   

Super Hoity Toity rallied strongly up the rail to just miss while Angelou was dead game after turning back several challenges.

Kate’s Kingdom, invading from Kentucky, was prominent throughout and launched a menacing move around the far turn but weakened slightly to finish fourth, another three lengths back as the second choice.

Valentina Day, Saratoga Vision, Batyah, and Sister Seagull completed the order of finish.

Inventing was scratched.

The final time was 1:44.14 off Angelou’s slow fractions of :25.62, :50.06, and 1:13.50.

Il Malocchio was winning for the fifth time in 23 career starts with all of her victories coming in stakes races at Woodbine, including last fall’s Grade 3 Maple Leaf. The 5-year-old daughter of Souper Speedy and Egbert Bay was bred by her owner, Franco Meli.

Bill Tallon for Woodbine Communications

Il Malocchio and Angelou (red blinkers) go head-and-head for all the spoils in Grade 3 Trillium (Patricia Burns photo)