TORONTO, November 21, 2025— Kekoa held off a late charge from Ciunas to win the $100,000 Lake Ontario Stakes by a neck on Friday at Woodbine, the finale of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series finale for 3-year-old colts & geldings. The race, contested over 1 1/16 miles on the main Tapeta track, was originally scheduled for the Sunday (Nov. 16) card that was cancelled due to high winds. Kekoa, a gelding who does not have a right eye, was ridden to the 1:45.35 victory in the field of eight by Austin Adams for trainer Catherine Day Phillips and owners Stephan and Rita Shefsky, Toby and Willy Kruh, Danny Vella and Kingfield Racing Stable Ltd. Kekoa was bred by Mark Dodson. It was the fourth stakes win of the year for Adams. “He was really fighting for me, and I was just riding him home,” Adams said. “I could feel [Ciunas] coming. But, [Kekoa] felt the horse behind him too, and he really helped me out in the lane.” The Ontario-sired and bred son of Reload out of the Dansili (GB) mare Henley Hill (GB), now sports a record of 2-1-2 in seven 2025 and earnings of $112,981 this year and $217,972 lifetime. His career record is now 4-3-3 in 14 starts. Kekoa and jockey Austin Adams winning the Lake Ontario Stakes on November 21, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Day Phillips said Kekoa not having a right eye wasn’t necessarily an advantage in that he couldn’t see Ciunas coming, but, “surprisingly, it hasn’t bothered him. He really adjusted well. He lost his eye over the winter, and he, surprisingly, has adjusted well to it, and doesn’t really mind horses around him, doesn’t really mind what goes on. He does turn his head to have a good look around with his one eye in the mornings, but in general, it hasn’t affected his racing. “He’s a very nice horse. We’re very, very lucky to have him.” The Lake Ontario was the finale of the division’s Ontario-Sired Heritage Series that pays tribute to the four Great Lakes that border Ontario. Go Kart Mozart won both the $100,000 Lake Huron Stakes first leg over five furlongs on June 22 on the inner turf at Woodbine and the third and final leg, the $100,000 Lake Erie Stakes over 6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 9 at Fort Erie. Dark Screen won the middle leg – the $100,000 Lake Superior over six furlongs on July 27 over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine. Those two wins and a third already gave Go Kart Mozart the seasonal victory in the Heritage Series for sophomore males with 25 points. He was not entered for the Lake Ontario, but Dark Screen finished fifth in the Lake Ontario. In the Ontario-sire Heritage Series for 3-year-old fillies, Rhaenyra won the 2025 title with 15 points. Established in 2021, the Ontario Sired Heritage Series is comprised of three $100,000 legs and a $100,000 final for two divisions: 3-year-old colts & geldings, and 3-year-old fillies. The total purse structure for the series is $800,000. There is also a total of $70,000 in bonus money for the Heritage Series, $35,000 for each division – awarded $20,000, $10,000, $5,000 for the top three point earning colts/gelding and fillies. (Details here). Dave Briggs, Ontario Racing Share This:Share
