Stakes action on the $400,000 Prince of Wales undercard at Fort Erie Race Track kicked off in race two with leg two of the Ontario Sire Heritage Series for three-year-old colts and geldings, the $100,000 Lake Erie Stakes. BOSSY HOLIDAY (Ami’s Holiday – Bossy Saratoga by Street Boss) bested Uncle Joe in deep stretch to win and move into first place in the Ontario Sire Heritage Series.
Breaking sharply from post four Luis Contreras steadied his mount, and he dueled on the lead with Uncle Joe through opening fractions of 22.29 and 46.00. The pair continued their battle for the remainder of the six-furlong main track sprint.
“He broke really sharp and after that he was just fighting the whole way,” said Contreras. “He was fought the whole way home and I was so happy.”
Josie Carroll trains the Ivan Dalos homebred who now has a win to go along with his runner-up finish in the opening leg of the series, the $100,000 Lake Huron on August 12 at Woodbine Racetrack. Carroll also conditioned Bossy Holiday’s sire, Ami’s Holiday, for Dalos and his Tall Oaks Farm operation.
“That’s what’s a lot of fun training for the Dalos’, we have generational horses, and it makes it very special,” said Carroll.
It was Bossy Holiday’s first-time racing over the dirt, but the surface was no trouble for the dark bay.
“It’s an unknown surface up here, but he’s a pretty versatile little horse,” said Carroll. “I just left it in Luis’ hands. We just got him warmed up and ready to come out.”
With a win and a runner-up through two legs of the series, Bossy Holiday is in the driver’s seat for the $20,000 first place prize awarded to the horse with the most points at the end of the three $100,000 legs, and $100,000 final. Second and third place receive bonuses of $10,000 and $5,000.
A $2 exacta with Uncle Joe (Souper Speedy) paid $38.80, and third-place finisher Silent Runner (Silent Name JPN) completed a $1 trifecta that paid $52.25.
Heavy rain had fallen prior to the Rondeau Bay Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in race four, and PLEASURE’S GOLD (Souper Speedy – Good As Gold by Petionville) broke awkwardly from post five. Jockey Rafael Hernandez steadied his mount and was fifth in the seven horse field through a quarter mile.
Pleasure’s Gold overcame the troubled start, the wet track, and showed impressive resilience and speed. She moved into second by the half-mile marker, and powered home to win by two lengths over fellow daughter of Souper Speedy, Souper Flashy.
“She’s better and better, every time she runs, she’s always right here,” said trainer Tino Attard. “She’s a nice filly. We love her like we love my grandkids.”
Pleasure’s gold is owned and was bred by Elizabeth and Gordon Lickrish and the filly is the third added-money winner for their stakes placed broodmare Good As Gold. Pleasure’s Gold is a half sister to Ballade Stakes winner Golden Vision and Marathon Series Stakes winner Courtly Pleasure
Through five starts in her three-year-old campaign Pleasure’s Gold has a mark of 2-2-1 and over $105,000 in earnings. She paid $14.80 for the win.
Through two legs, Pleasure’s Gold is well positioned to earn one of the first, second, or third place bonuses of $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000 awarded at the conclusion of the Ontario Sire Heritage Series.
Leg three of the Ontario Sire Heritage Series is October 21 back at Woodbine.
~ with files from Ontario Racing
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