Skip to main content

Weekend Notables & Quotables (July 22-23)

July 24, 2023

Make it a double

After a strong maiden-breaking score on July 2, Veri Gizmo, trained by Josie Carroll for owner/breeder Ivan Dalos, was just as impressive on Saturday. The 3-year-old daughter of Amis Gizmo made it two straight trips to the winner’s circle after a three-length triumph over 6 ½ panels on the Tapeta.

Veri Gizmo and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning Race 4 on July 22, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Veri Gizmo and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning Race 4 on July 22, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Back on the winning track

Il Malocchio, a 5-year-old daughter of Souper Speedy, got up in the final strides to take the Trillium Stakes Presented by Stella Artois (G3) on Sunday. The bay mare, bred and owned by Franco Meli, and trained by Martin Drexler, arrived at the race off a pair of fourth-place finishes, one at Turfway Park, the other at Woodbine.

Il Malocchio and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Trillium Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Il Malocchio and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Trillium Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Dream trip

Dream Shake, ridden by Rafael Hernandez, fended off foes from both sides down the lane to earn his first stakes victory in the Connaught Cup (G2T). The dark bay gelding, trained by Michael Stidham, is now 4-1-2 from 12 lifetime starts.

Dream Shake and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Connaught Cup Stakes on July 23, 2023 (Michael Burns Photo)
Dream Shake and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Connaught Cup Stakes on July 23, 2023 (Michael Burns Photo)

A King’s Plate date for the Prince

Paramount Prince, under Patrick Husbands, put in a brilliant performance to take the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes on Sunday. Trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse for Michael Langlois and Gary Barber, the son of Society’s Chairman took the 1 1/8-mile Tapeta race by five lengths and paid $25.50 for the win.

Paramount Prince and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Plate Trial Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Paramount Prince and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Plate Trial Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Mighty in the Oaks

Elysian Field, with Sahin Civaci for the irons, stormed to the front in mid-stretch and went on to take all the spoils in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser. Also trained by Mark Casse, the daughter of Hard Spun-Elysian is owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber.

Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the 2023 Woodbine Oaks (Michael Burns Photo)
Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the 2023 Woodbine Oaks (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth Watching

Check out Dave Portnoy, American blogger and founder of the sports and popular culture blog Barstool Sports, checking out the sights and sounds at Woodbine this weekend.

https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1682803540815753217

Worth Repeating

Breeder Ericka Rusnak was ecstatic and emotional after Paramount Prince’s kingly effort in the Plate Trial Stakes.

“I was just hoping he would hold on and he kept pulling away. Just having a horse being talked about in the same sentence as the King’s Plate… this is a dream come true.”

Paramount Prince and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Plate Trial Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Paramount Prince and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Plate Trial Stakes on July 23, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth Knowing

The stakes sizzle continues next weekend with the running of the $175,000 Seagram Cup (G2) on Saturday. On Sunday, the Thunder Bay Stakes and Lake Superior Stakes, both with a purse of $100,000, step into the spotlight.

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

 

Share This: