TORONTO, November 12, 2022 – Our Flash Drive watched an early front-end scuffle unfold and then delivered a knockout blow down the lane in Saturday’s Grade 2 $176,550 Bessarabian Stakes, at Woodbine. Lorena, Hazelbrook and Loyalty all broke sharply at the start of the 7-furlong main track race for fillies & mares, 3-year-olds and upward, with Lorena eventually claiming top spot, then leading her eight foes through an opening split reached in :23.25. Sweet Enough, at 31-1, then burst through along the rail to hold a head advantage after a half in :45.44, as Patrick Husbands, aboard Our Flash Drive, the 8-5 choice, kept his charge running comfortably and unfettered in sixth spot. Our Flash Drive and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Bessarabian Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) When the field navigated the turn for home, Our Flash Drive was plugged-in and ready to pounce, effortlessly gliding past her rivals and then turning on the jets to dash away from her foes. Ahead by two lengths at the stretch call, the 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, bred and owned by Live Oak, breezed home a 5 ¾-length winner in a time of 1:20.76. Hazelbrook edged Loyalty for second, while 54-1 Awesome Treat was fourth. Our Flash Drive came into the Bessarabian off a strong runner-up performance in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron on October 22. “I was getting the perfect trip down the backside [today], trying to find out where Ortiz [jockey, Jose, aboard Artie’s Princess] is. I just tipped out at the top of the lane. Actually, she ran a winning race [in the Ontario Matron]. That horse [Kate’s Kingdom] just followed me and caught me.” It was third graded stakes score for Our Flash Drive, who took last year’s Grade 3 Selene and Grade 3 Ontario Colleen. The well-traveled Florida-bred also won the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes this August at Saratoga. The Mark Casse trainee is now 5-3-1 from 14 starts. Our Flash Drive paid $5.20 for the win. Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms on Twitter Share This:Share
