Canada’s Champion Female Sprinter of 2020, ARTIE’S PRINCESS (We Miss Artie – Stormkeeper by Stormy Atlantic) won her first race since her title year on June 26, easily speeding to victory in the $101,600 Ballade Stakes for Ontario-sired fillies and mares. The robust bay 5-year-old mare had only raced once in 2021 and then came off another layoff May 8 when fourth in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes, her first race for current trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who hails from Barbados.
The Ballade was Joseph’s first Woodbine stakes win and fittingly Artie’s Princess was ridden by fellow Bajan Patrick Husbands.
Sent off as the 3-5 choice in the six-furlong race, Artie’s Princess was hustled to the rail by Husbands as multiple stakes winner Lorena was settled into second, with Spanish Ballerina and Red Equinox positioned third and fourth, respectively, through an opening quarter timed in :22.10.
Husbands and Artie’s Princess were a half-length in front of Lorena through a half in :44.49, with the pacesetter looking every bit in charge of her 11 rivals as she rounded the turn for home.
At the head of the lane, the mare, still under no urging from Husbands, began to kick away from her pursuers, finally winning by three lengths in a reported time of 1:09.35, good for an 88 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
Lorena (Souper Speedy) finished second, 4 ¼-lengths ahead of 58-1 Trading Bay (Giant Gizmo), with 72-1 Souper Pecan (Souper Pecan) a head back in fourth.
“She showed on form that she’s a class horse,” said Husbands. “I just let her enjoy herself.”
Bred and owned by Ken Ramsey and the Estate of Sarah Ramsey, Artie’s Princess is by the late Ontario-bred stallion We Miss Artie and she is the second foal of the placed mare Stormkeeper, whose own dam is Bison City Stakes winner Touchnow. Artie’s Princess is now 6 for 10 in her career (she was trained by Wesley Ward for her first eight races) and she has earned over $327,000.
Husbands was thrilled to deliver Joseph his first Woodbine stakes win.
“It’s an honour and a pleasure, especially following you from the islands, trying to make it outside and do make it outside. It’s a good feeling. He asked me to ride her last time and I couldn’t ride her, and it’s an honour that he offered me back the ride. I feel good.”
Artie’s Princess paid $3.50, $2.70 and $2.60, combining with Lorena ($6.30, $5.70) for a $17.90 exactor. Trading Bay ($13.60) completed a $358.10 triactor, while Souper Pecan rounded out a $1 superfecta that returned $1,492.10. Mrs. Del was scratched.
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