Ciuri, darting to the front under Eurico Rosa da Silva, made all the running and held sway to prevail by a neck over Sav in Friday’s Lady Angela Stakes at Woodbine.
Ciuri was the 9-5 favourite in the $100,000 Lady Angela, a seven-furlong race for Ontario-sired three-year-old fillies, with Sav the 7-5 choice in the field of five.
“She ran a great race; she was very, very relaxed,” said jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva, who was riding his meet-leading fifth stakes winner. “She handled seven-eighths. Seven-eighths and one yard, I don’t know.”
Cirui managed to control the pace as she maintained a one-length lead through an opening quarter in :23.19 and a half in :46.20.
Sav was in closest attention while joined by a rail-riding Brookies Bear around the far turn.
Brookies Bear managed to squeeze out as they straightened away for the drive and was battling with Sav for second-place as the ran through the six furlongs in 1:10.61.
Ciuri held a two-length lead at that point but Sav surged late to make it close while ending 2 ¾ lengths before the third-place Brookies Bear.
Pink Scribbles closed for fourth money, a length behind Brookies Bear. Miss Ariel trailed.
“She’s a classy little girl,” said Tiller, who was saddling his third stakes winner of the meeting, the first two coming courtesy of the redoubtable Pink Floyd. “She’s a real tryer; she’s got some heart.”
Bred by Kingview Farm, the daughter of Souper Speedy was a $20,000 purchase at the local select yearling sale.
“We kind of stole her at the sale,” said Tiller. “She’s a classy little girl. She’s a real tryer; she’s got some heart.”
Tiller also noted that turf would definitely be a future consideration for Ciuri, who was a half-sister to the crack turf sprinter Something Extra.
Ciuri, who races for the Entourage Stable of Frank DiGiulio, Ed Longo, John Lucato, John Peri and Victor Mele, was registering her third win from four starts after beginning her career on April 28.
The winner returned $5.80, $2.70, and $2.20 with the 4-2 exacta over Sav ($2.60, $2.20) coming back at$12.70. Brookies Bear ($2.60) completed a 4-2-1 trifecta worth $30.10 and the 4-2-1-5 trifecta rounded out by Pink Scribbles was worth $30.30 for $1.
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