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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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
