Cindervella, under leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva, was full of run late as she swept by her rivals in the last jumps to break her maiden in style in the $125,000 South Ocean Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine.
Trained by Mike DePaulo for owners Frank Annecchini and Rocco D’Alimonte, Cindervella came into the 1 1/16-mile event for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies off a fourth-place finish in the 6 ½-furlong OLG Muskoka Stakes on August 31.
In the South Ocean, it was Evil Woman who set the early pace with Nineteen Sixteen and Nerve Line keeping close tabs through an opening quarter in :24.61.
Evil Woman was still control after a half-mile timed in :48.62, but had company as the field rounded the turn for home. Even-money favourite Princess Bullet and Crumlin Queen pulled the trigger along the inside, while Cindervella, hoping the clock wouldn’t strike midnight, was flying on the outside, getting up to win by a half-length.
Crumlin Queen nosed out Princess Bullet for runner-up honours. Evil Woman was fourth.
Cindervella covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.81.
“She ran very well,” said da Silva, who recorded five wins on the card. “I was concerned because she was a little nervous behind the gate and when she broke, she was very aggressive. But, she was able to relax and she was waiting for the green light. When you go two turns, I think the most important thing is for the horse to relax. If the horse can relax, it doesn’t matter where you are. I was going to take her outside because I had so much horse and she kicked in so strong.”
For DePaulo, in the midst of another fine season with his ninth Woodbine stakes score, it was a pleasing result from a two-year-old who could be on track to contest some of the biggest three-year-old filly races on the 2017 Woodbine calendar.
“This filly – we liked her – we bought her in the (local September) Yearling Sale,” noted the veteran conditioner. “We knew she could run. We’re just happy it worked out today. We were hoping she’d like the two turns and it looks like she did.
Cindervella paid $7.80, $4.40 and $2.50, combining with Crumlin Queen ($8.10, $3.80) for a $51.50 (4-2) exactor. A 4-2-1 triactor (Princess Bullet, $2.40 to show) was worth $131.60, while a $1 Superfecta [4-2-1-3 (Evil Woman)] came back $252.60.
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