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Weekend Notables & Quotables (November 4-5)

November 6, 2023

Civaci four-score

Sahin Civaci had a four-star day on Saturday. He won the first race with Twixter, the fifth with Just Follow Me, the sixth with Blitz and the seventh with Veery. After setting a slew of career-best marks last year, Civaci has been even more impressive in 2023, a season in which he has already eclipsed several personal-high numbers, including wins and purse earnings.

Veery and jockey Sahin Civaci winning Race 7 on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Veery and jockey Sahin Civaci winning Race 7 on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Winning forecast

Summer Snow, a 4-year-old daughter of Flatter, extended her lead with each pole en route to a dominant 5 ¼-length score in Saturday’s second race, a five-furlong sprint over the Tapeta. Ridden by Sofia Vives, the roan filly, trained and owned by Tony Gattellaro, has three wins on the campaign.

Summer Snow and jockey Sofia Vives winning Race 2 on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo
Summer Snow and jockey Sofia Vives winning Race 2 on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Scream!

Two Ghosts, under Justin Stein, conjured up a winning performance in Saturday’s $150,000 Grey Stakes (G3). Trained by Barb Minshall for Hoolie Racing Stable, LLC, the dark bay son of Ghostzapper rallied to record a one-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds. With the win, Two Ghosts is now 2-2-0 from six career starts.

Two Ghosts and jockey Justin Stein winning the Grey Stakes on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Two Ghosts and jockey Justin Stein winning the Grey Stakes on November 4, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Valintine’s Day

On Sunday, in Race 1, Khozzy Valintine, a 5-year-old daughter of Khozzan, won her second straight race, fourth in her last five starts and fifth overall in 2023. Trained by Sandy McPherson for Lloyd McPherson, the Maryland-bred mare is now 7-2-5 from 26 career starts. The dark bay won her debut on January 7, 2021, at Gulfstream Park.

Khozzy Valintine and jockey Amanda Vandermeersch winning Race 1 on November 5, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Khozzy Valintine and jockey Amanda Vandermeersch winning Race 1 on November 5, 2023 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)

Worth hearing

“Thank you everyone for the messages, thoughts, support. I’m very grateful to be home, and I’m looking forward to being back in action as soon as possible!”

– Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, on Twitter, sharing an update after she was involved in an on-track spill on Thursday.

Worth watching

Watch as Wolfie’s Dynaghost takes the lead early and then pulls away late for an ultra-impressive score in the $175,000 Autumn Stakes (G3) on Sunday. The well-travelled gelding now has nine wins from 24 career starts.

Worth knowing

The curtain closes on this year’s Heritage Series with a pair of stakes finals on Friday, the $100,000 Ashbridges Bay and the $100,000 Lake Ontario Stakes. On Saturday, the $175,000 Bessarabian (G2) and the $150,000 Maple Leaf Stakes (G3) share top billing.

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

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