The score is now Mark Casse and Patrick Husbands three stakes wins in 2024 at Woodbine from four total stakes (Josie Carroll and jockey Sofia Vives won the other one).
PLAY THE MUSIC, who touted herself in the post parade before the Whimsical Stakes (G3) on May 4, was a very impressive winner of that six-furlong stakes for four-year-olds and upward, fillies and mares. An improving daughter of Mo Town – Hey Little Sister by Jump Start, Play the Music came from the rail in mid-pack against a big and strong field, rallied outside and drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:10.59 for a 91 Beyer Figure.
The pace was hot as Josie Carroll-trainee The Arcadian Way was sent hard from post 14 to clear the field. That worked out well for the winner and runner-up Peacock Lass, the latter who also rode the rail in the back. Peacock Lass, shipped to Woodbine by trainer Rodolphe Brisset, was second over another closer, Dolce Sopresa, from the Carroll barn.
Play the Music is owned by Karl and Cathi Glassman, who have raced some good horses in Florida. This gal was a $30,000 purchase from the 2022 Ocala Spring sale. It was her fifth win in 12 races and she has earned over $360,000.
On Sunday, one of the best local sprinters in recent years, CANDY OVERLOAD, won a duel with favoured Flag of Honour (Aus) to take the Thorncliffe overnight stakes for owners Gary Barber, Adam Wachtel and Pantofel Stable.
The 5 1/2 furlong dash had plenty of speed in the field for the winter-raced Candy Overload (Reload – Mini Candy by Candy Ride (Arg)) to run at and he blew by pacesetter Jazz Hands to win in 1:03.54 for his seventh career win. Candy Overload has earned over $465,000.
The gelding was bred by Northern Dawn Stable and Denny Andrews.
Also on Sunday, first time starter PROMISING showed she is well named. By Triple Crown winner Justify, from 2018 champion female sprinter in Canada MOONLIT PROMISE, the Hill n’ Dale Equine Holdings/Windsor Boys filly chased a quick pace between fillies, engaged another beginner, Make Magic from the Mark Casse barn, and then edged clear under Luis Contreras. Trained by Josie Carroll, Promising ran the six furlongs in 1:11.27.
More Saturday:
In the race after Play the Music’s Whimsical win, Casse and Husbands struck again with MRS GREEN (Midnight Storm), who stalked on the rail in an optional claiming/allowance and then darted up the inside to win easily at a whopping 5-to-1 odds. Mrs. Green, owned by D J Stable, posted an 84 Beyer Figure for 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.57.
The final race on Saturday was won by George Biglairdi’s Stolen, well-prepared by trainer Matt Douglas. Stolen, predictably the heavy favourite in the $7,500 claiming race, won easily under Jose Campos. Bigliardi has owned horses since the 1980s and he bred Stolen, now a two-time winner.
PIERRE, a King’s Plate hopeful for Al and Bill Ulwelling, got his maiden win out of the way on Saturday when he lasted to take a 6 furlong maiden allowance by a head under Rafael Hernandez. The son of Tapiture – Archette by Arch is trained by Kevin Attard. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Harlan Estate and was bred by Ivan Dalos. His time of 1:12.14 was a 66 Beyer Figure.
(*The fractions of Pierre’s win will be reviewed – 24.82, 49.02, 100.61)
Fast-closing Gilt Edge, by Klimt, was bred by Ryan Kerbel and is owned by Katie’s O’Connor.
Woodbine Oaks contender WAR PAINTER made her three-year-old debut on Saturday in an optional claiming race ($40,000) at 6 furlongs for the Canuck Racing Club. A stakes winner last year and second by only a head in the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Stakes, the daughter of Danish Dynaformer was 1-to-9 in race 3 for trainer Kevin Attard. Ridden by Patrick Husbands, the filly trailed early, make a strong, wide and sustained rally and joined the leader Home for a Rest. But Rafael Hernandez on the grey filly Novel was on a different page as he darted between the favourite and battled that one to the wie, winning by an inch. The time of 1:12.20 was good for a 74 Beyer Figure.
Novel is a homebred for Borders Racing Stable and she is trained by Katarina Vassilieva. The filly is by Frac Daddy from the Casamento (Ire) mare November Tale (Ire). Casamento won the Racing Post Trophy (G1) as a two-year-old overseas. The mare was a winner.
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