Toronto, ON – Quiet Action captured her first career stakes victory in Sunday’s $150,000 Ontario Damsel Stakes at Woodbine.
The Mark Casse trainee capitalized on a furious early pace duel, rallying from well off the pace for the 3 ¾-length score, traveling 6 ½ furlongs, over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, in 1:18.40.
After stalking the pace from third, You Will Love Me reeled in the front runners to be second, but couldn’t quicken at the same rate as Quiet Action. Banker’s Street also took advantage of the :22.02 and :45.24 fractions and improved late to be third in the event for Ontario-foaled three-year-old fillies.
A daughter of Forest Wildcat, Quiet Action is owned by Woodford Racing and was ridden by Patrick Husbands, who had ridden her to a runner-up finish in the Fury Stakes on May 6.
Husbands said the turf course, which was rated ‘good’ due to afternoon showers, can be a bit softer on the backstretch.
“It’s a little bit tiring for the horses,” said Husbands. “I was never worried about anything. I was never in a hurry. I just let her get her legs together and she got the job done. Everything is going well. Everyone at the barn is working hard and everything is paying off right now.”
The victory is the sixth stakes tally of the season for Casse, who was following the progress of his grey filly, eight lengths behind, as the field raced along the backstretch, as opposed to monitoring the contentious pace battle brewing on the front end between Siwa and Only If Split.
“I wasn’t actually watching up front,” said Casse. “I was more concerned that the filly was maybe struggling a little with the softer turf. I didn’t expect her to be that far back.”
After watching Quiet Actions split rivals in mid-stretch and draw off in the final 40 yards, Casse was thrilled with the result.
“She plays hard and she likes the turf,” said Casse. “This was our major goal when we started the year. This is what we pointed for. This was a restricted race but I think she’s capable of running open. So, we may take her south of the border.”
The grey filly is now 2-for-5 on the turf, having recorded her first victory on the lawn, last July against maiden allowance rivals.
Quiet Action returned $5.80, $3.20, $2.60, combining with You Will Love Me ($9.90, $5.10) for a $73.10 exactor. Banker’s Street ($3.60) completed a $349.50 triactor. Fourth-place finisher Pugilistic rounded out a $1 superfecta worth $576.70.
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