TORONTO, September 16 — Quidura, the prohibitive 2-5 choice, justified that support with a comfortable one-length score in Saturday’s Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine. The $250,000 Canadian, an about 1 1/8 mile turf race for fillies and mares, attracted a field of seven. Quidura, ridden by Junior Alvarado, for trainer Graham Motion, broke from the inside and remained on the hedge under jockey Junior Alvarado as the field turned into the stretch. "I wanted to make sure I got cover,” said Alvarado, who was riding in Canada for the first time. “Last time, we didn’t get the setup that I wanted to so this time I was trying to make sure I was going to get her cover.” (Alvarado was referring to Quidura’s last start, which came in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Diana where the four-year-old filly wound up on the lead and was run down very late by the superstar Lady Eli). In the Canadian, Quidura settled nicely in fourth along the hedge as Involuntary cut out the pace with Starship Jubilee and Southern Gem in closest attendance as the quarter went in :24.60 and the half in :48.78. The top four held their positions until the field turned into the stretch and Alvarado waited patiently for an opening. Briefly appearing to be hemmed in, Alvarado swung Quidura off the rail as a seam opened up and she responded with a move that put her quickly into second place. “I knew I had horse,” said Alvarado. “Any time I wanted to split horses or do something, I knew she was there for me so I wasn’t worried. We were pretty much just waiting to turn for home. Then I found my spot and after that she was there for me, gave me a nice kick. “After that I just wrapped it up again, tried to save it for the next time.” Elysea’s World, the other U.S. invader in the Canadian lineup, trailed the field early and rallied nicely to finish second as the 4.70-1 second choice, three-quarters of a length before a tiring Starship Jubilee. Starship Jubilee ended third with Grizzel, the only three-year-old in the Canadian lineup, finishing another 2 ¼ lengths back in fourth. Southern Gem faded to fifth and Involuntary to sixth. Moonlight Sky never threatened and rounded out the order of finish. David Moran, Grizzel’s rider, claimed foul against Elysea’s World but the claim was rejected by the stewards. The final time was 1:45.26. Quidura, bred in England by her German owner Gestuet Faehrhof, was recording her first Grade 2 win after scoring in the Keeneland’s Grade 3 Valley View last fall in her second North American appearance. "I ran her here today because of the timing,” said Motion. “I really hope to take her to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup.” Quidura paid $2.80 and $2.10 and combined with Elysea’s World ($2.90) for a 1-5 exacta worth $8.10. A $1 triactor of 1-5-3 (Starship Jubilee) paid $9.95 and a $1 superfecta of 1-5-3-4 (Grizzel) returned $30.25. There was no show wagering. Share This:Share
