Top 3 Woodbine Weekend Highlights (April 27-28)

Win

It was a win-win (and then some) for jockey Sofia Vives on opening day Saturday. The 2023 Sovereign Award recipient as Canada’s champion apprentice made five trips to the winner’s circle, highlighted by her first stakes score. Vives, who partnered with Josie Carroll trainee Sabatini (13-1) to take the $125,000 Star Shoot Stakes, was also a finalist for the 2023 Eclipse Award as champion apprentice.

Place

Midnight Mascot, trained by Mark Casse for owners Manfred and Penny Conrad, flew home late to take top prize in Sunday’s $125,000 Woodstock Stakes. Bred in Ontario by Yvonne Schwabe, the 3-year-old son of Army Mule-Midnight Embrace was ridden to victory by Patrick Husbands.

“Through this whole race, they tried to run at the best horse, and I knew where he was sitting that it would be a matter of time of how far he would win [by],” said Husbands.

Show

Hobbie Class, under Jason Hoyte, was the class of the field in the season opener on Saturday. Trained and co-owned by Ted Holder, the 3-year-old daughter of Reload-Show Methe Euros jumped out to an early lead and went on to secure a two-length score in the five-furlong sprint over the all-weather track. The maiden-breaking effort returned $12.70.

“It was a nice feeling when the wire got closer and closer and I knew we had a big shot to win,” said Hoyte. “I won my first race last year and I was fortunate enough to do it again this year. I’m going to keep working hard and build off this.”

Noteworthy

Jockey Sahin Civaci went 6-2-1 from 10 mounts over Saturday and Sunday. Trainer Martin Drexler won four races on Sunday.

On Tap

Live racing and stakes action continues this coming weekend. First post is 1:10 p.m. for both Saturday and Sunday.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms