Skip to main content

Weekend Notables & Quotables (July 1-2)

July 3, 2023

Three, four, six, nine

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse won three of the five graded stakes on the Canada Day Racing Festival card on Saturday. He won the Nassau (G2T) with Fev Rover (IRE), the Highlander (G2T) with Lucky Score, and the Selene (G3) with Solo Album. It was Casse’s sixth straight Selene crown and ninth overall. He also sent out Queen Judith to victory on Saturday, giving him four winner’s circle trips on the day.

Solo Album and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Selene Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Solo Album and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Selene Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

One-two punch

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll finished first and second in the Dominion Day (G3) on Saturday when Tyson rallied to take the $150,000 race. She also saddled second-place finisher, graded stakes winner Treason. A $2 Carroll exactor returned $33.20.

Tyson and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Dominion Day Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Tyson and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Dominion Day Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

The Sahin scene 

Jockey Sahin Civaci won two of the five graded stakes on Saturday, recording a Selene (G3) hit with Solo Album and hitting the jackpot with Lucky Score in the Highlander (G2T).

Lucky Score and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Highlander Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Lucky Score and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Highlander Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Toughing it out

After a gate incident on Saturday where her leg was struck by another horse, jockey Amanda Vandermeersch was back in the winner’s circle on Sunday. The apprentice guided Ian Black trainee Proud Speaker ($15.40 to win) to a 4 ¼-length score in a seven-furlong race over the Tapeta.

Proud Speaker and jockey Amanda Vandermeersch winning Race 6 on July 2, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Proud Speaker and jockey Amanda Vandermeersch winning Race 6 on July 2, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth repeating

“It takes him a while to get rolling and luckily there was a lot of speed up front today so that helped a lot. It was just about finding the right position and a clear path getting to the wire before they get there.” – Sahin Civaci, on his winning Highlander (G2T) ride aboard Lucky Score.

Lucky Score and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Highlander Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Lucky Score and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Highlander Stakes on July 1, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth watching 

Grande Bella, owned by DRF writer Ron Gierkink, capped off a memorable Canada Day by winning the final race of the card. Ryan Munger rode for trainer John LeBlanc, Jr.

Worth knowing 

The Ontario Sire Heritage Series gets out of the gate Saturday with a pair of $100,000 Inner Turf stakes, the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

https://woodbine.com/stakes-schedule/

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms

Share This: