The Ontario Sire Heritage Series concluded Friday at Woodbine with Lorena capturing the $100,000 Ashbridges Bay Stakes and Artie’s Storm winning the $100,000 Lake Ontario Stakes, both Presented by Ontario Racing.
LORENA, with her victory, her second in the series, collected a total of 20 points to win the first-place bonus of $20,000 for the Heritage Series filly division in addition to the purse money. Owned by Brent and Russell McLellan, and Kai Olguin and co-owned by trainer Stuart Simon, the daughter of Souper Speedy – Negotiable by Hat Trick (Jpn) was bred by Dr. Liam Gannon.
Carlo D’Amato and Stacey VanCamp’s SECRET RESERVE, on the basis of his second-place finish to ARTIE’S STORM in the Lake Ontario, won the top points bonus for the 3-year-old colts and geldings division. Secret Reserve is a son of Giant Gizmo – Smart Suzie by Smart Strike and she was bred by Dr. Brian Van Arem.
The 1 1/16-mile main track event for Ontario-sired three-year-olds, and the Ashbridges Bay for Ontario-sired three-year-old fillies, completed the bonus-laden eight-leg stakes series of events that were held at Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks. Ontario Racing and its Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) Committee unveiled the series in March.
Sent off as the 1-5 choice in the Ashbridges Bay, Lorena, under Gary Boulanger, broke sharply and quickly assumed command as the versatile filly took her four rivals through an opening quarter in :26.17.
Lorena continued to call the shots through a half-mile reached in :50.98, one-length ahead of Jilli Marie, who was two-length lengths in front of longshot Practical Gizmo.
After three-quarters in 1:15.23. Lorena was still running comfortably as Jilli Marie, with Steven Bahen in the irons, began to turn up the pressure on the outside. As the field rounded the turn for home, Boulanger called on his filly and she responded in kind, converting a two-length advantage at the stretch call into a 3 ½-length score. Jolene Jolene rallied to be second and Jilli Marie was third.
The final time was 1:46.61.
Now a four-time stakes winner, Lorena has a lifetime mark of 6-0-0 from eight starts.
“It’s really satisfying to get that [two-turn win] done,” said Simon. “I did always think she would when she got the right circumstance and the right prep up to the race. She’s just been another gift.”
“She’ll be breathing in Ocala air soon, have a nice break and get ready for a nice campaign for next year,” said Simon.
Lorena paid $2.70 for the win.
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In the Lake Ontario, Artie’s Storm (We Miss Artie – Tiz Stormy Now, By Tiznow) thundered home to earn his first career stakes crown.
It was 2-5 choice Secret Reserve, working on a three-race win streak, who was quickest out of the gate, leading Perfect Crime and Artie’s Storm through an opening quarter-mile clocked in :23.64.
Secret Reserve continued to lead through a half-mile reached in :47.35, as David Moran, aboard Artie’s Storm, kept close tabs on the pacesetter from along the rail.
As the field came off the turn for home, Artie’s Storm engaged Secret Reserve, and the duo dug in for a long stretch battle, leaving their rivals to settle third place honours.
At the wire, Artie’s Storm, trained and owned by Paul Buttigieg, fended off a game Secret Reserve to win by a half-length in a rapid time of 1:42.47. Dragon’s Brew rallied to net the show award, eight lengths back of the runner-up. Artie’s Storm was bred by Sunrise Farm.
Points (Final, unofficial)
Three-Year-Old Fillies
Lorena – 20
Sunsprite – 15
Red Equinox – 13
Meet the Soprano – 12
Artful Ballerina – 10
Three-Year-Old Males
Secret Reserve – 17
Dragon’s Brew – 16
Red River Rebel – 13
Forest Survivor – 12
Galvaston – 7
Blind Trust – 7
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