Josie Carroll knew that when the re-calibrated stakes schedule for Woodbine came out in late spring that getting CURLIN’S VOYAGE to the Woodbine Oaks was not going to be a simple journey. The COVID-19 pandemic had halted training, then delayed racing and the Oaks was moved from early June to Aug. 15.
And instead of a sprint stake or two and then a route race prep, Carroll had to take the 2019 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly right from two sprint stakes to the 1 1/8 mile Oaks.
The Hall of Fame trainer had the Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Windsor Boys filly tuned right to the minute for the big day, however, and with a rush from almost last-place, Curlin’s Voyage stormed to a 1 3/4 length win under jockey Patrick Husbands.
The 65th Oaks drew a field of 10 Canadian-bred 3-year-olds going for shares of the $500,000 purse. Since Curlin’s Voyage had been second in the Star Shoot Stakes at six furlongs and then won the seven furlong Fury Stakes, she was made the 8 to 5 favourite by fans watching and wagering on HPI and throughout the simulcast world.
There were a few more people watching the races, too, as the number of owners allowed per horse was increased slightly from when owners were brought back to the track to watch their horses race. Also there was a small media contingent in attendance.
The race was the 10th on a day that featured a number of juicy stake races including the $150,000 Plate Trial, won by Clayton, a fellow Curlin’s Voyage may meet should her connections send her to the Plate on Sept. 12.
It was the British Columbia-bred filly Infinite Patience, owned by in part by Edmonton Oilers star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who showed first from the gate in the Oaks. Showing little patience in actuality, the filly sped to the lead and went fast under Emma-Jayne Wilson. So fast were they going, they outsprinted rabbit filly Bayou Belle, the stablemate of Merveilleux. After a first two furlongs in 23.14 and a half mile in 46.79, Curlin’s Voyage was along the inside and in the last group of 3 almost 10 lengths behind the leader. Second favourite Merveilleux, owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling, was beside her.
When it was time to move, Curlin’s Voyage quickened and roared up the rail around the turn while Merveilleux followed. Curlin’s Voyage got the best run up the rail while Merveilleux, more of a long, galloping type, ended up in a pinball situation with a couple of fillies into the stretch.
Meanwhile, Afleet Katherine, who had won both of her career races in turf sprints, had been nestled behind the pace runner on the rail and was forced to go after that one on the turn but was still there on the turn when Curlin went past.
While Curlin’s Voyage kept her rivals at bay to the wire, both Afleet Katherine and Merveilleux finished well and galloped out strongly. Mizzen Beau, who chased the hot pace like Afleet Katherine, lasted for fourth.
The time of 1:50/06 was about 3/5 quicker than the time of the Plate Trial.
“She’s a very special filly,” said Carroll. “We knew we had something special from the start, that’s why we ran her against the boys in a stake first time out last year.”
Two of the Windsor Boys Racing Stable, Kim McMaster (second from left) and Angelo Gentilli walk to the winner’s circle with jockey Patrick Husbands and Curlin’s Voyage who is led by John Sikura’s mother Ann Knowles and trainer Josie Carroll after the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks. (Michael Burns photo)
Curlin’s Voyage was second in that opener, the Victoria Stakes, to Mr. Hustle and then third in the Shady Well Stakes before she won her maiden at 1 mile and 70 yards. She was second in the Grade 3 Mazarine in October but placed first when the winner Skygaze caused her some interference. Curlin’s Voyage ended her juvenile season with a win in the Ontario Lassie Stakes.
“We had a few concerns about only having the two sprint stakes before the Oaks so I trained her fairly hard for this race,’ said Carroll. “But good horses thrive on hard training.”
As for the Plate, Carroll said she would let the filly tell her if she is ready. Carroll won the 2011 Oaks with Inglorious and sent her to that year’s Plate which she also won.
This is the biggest win for the three-year-old WINDSOR BOYS RACING Stable of 8 friends from Windsor who got into racing ownership through John Sikura Jr., who played hockey for the Windsor Spitfires. The group includes NHL hockey coach Joel Quenneville.
Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky stands Curlin for $175,000 in 2020. The dam of the Oaks winner, Atlantic Voyage, won 2 races, both sprinting on the gras, and she is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Stormello and two other graded stakes winners.
Atlantic Voyage has produced multiple winner Brass Compass from her other two foals of racing age.
The second jewel of the Triple Tiara is the Bison City Stakes on Plate day, but it would be safe to assume that barring health issues, the top 3 from the Oaks will go to the Plate.
Video below from ERICKA RUSNAK is of Curlin’s Voyage after being born with her mum Atlantic Voyage at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms Ontario of Glenn Sikura.
More from News:
