Win It was a Happy Father’s Day times five for jockey Rafael Hernandez. The lifetime winner of over 3,100 races made a handful of trips to the winner’s circle on Sunday, including a pair of scores (Gem Quality and Stonks) with trainer Katerina Vassilieva. He also won the fourth Quite Ready, the seventh with Souped Up and the eighth with Gas Me Up. Gas Me Up and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning Race 8 on June 16, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Place Next Pitch knocked it out of the park in his debut for John LeBlanc, Jr. on Saturday. Bred and owned by Maggie LeBlanc, the 4-year-old son of Souper Speedy, with David Moran in the irons, took the six-furlong sprint over the main track by a half-length. The bay gelding paid $7.60 for the win. Show Sunday was twice as nice for trainer Katerina Vassilieva, who won the second race with Gem Quality and then the third with Stonks. Vassilieva had a career-best 2023 campaign across the board, one in which she recorded 20 wins and $871,923 in purse earnings. Gem Quality and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning Race 2 on June 16, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Noteworthy Jockeys Fraser Aebly (Hawkesbury and Strike a Chord) and Kazushi Kimura (Loon Cry and Have It My Way) each won two races on Saturday. Veery, trained by Martin Drexler, won her seventh career race on Saturday. Ridden by Sahin Civaci, the 6-year-old chestnut mare battled gamely down the long E.P. Taylor turf to eke out a head win. The Ontario-bred daughter of Giant Gizmo paid $12.90 for the victory. On Tap Live racing continues this weekend. Post time for both days is 1:10 p.m. The $100,000 Alywow Stakes is the feature on Saturday’s card. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
