Fares Farm’s Embur’s Song made a triumphant return to Woodbine, rallying smartly to capture Saturday’s Grade 3, $182,500 Hendrie Stakes on a rainy afternoon in Toronto.
The four-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Song, who contested three races at Woodbine in 2010, seized command from Whimsical Stakes winner Wildcat Marie at the eighth-pole, and easily fended off favoured Ariana D for the 3 ½-length victory. Wildcat Marie held for third.
Embur’s Song, trained by Todd Pletcher, travelled 6 1/2 furlongs in a sizzling time of 1:15.01.
The bay was on familiar ground, having won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Woodbine last May, finishing third in the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, in June, followed by a runner-up effort in the Bison City Stakes in July.
After a disappointing ninth-place finish in her seasonal bow at Gulfstream Park on February 6, Embur’s Song finished fourth in her next start, over the Gulfstream turf, on April 2. She came into the Hendrie off a neck nod in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at Keeneland on April 22.
“Looking at the Daily Racing Form, she showed that she’s actually a speed horse,” said winning jockey Patrick Husbands. “This morning when I spoke with Todd, I asked if she had to be on the lead. He said, ‘I don’t think so. Just play it by ear.’ As we left the gate, the first three strides she relaxed.”
Embur’s Song settled perfectly in third along the backstretch, content to stalk a duel between Dr. Zic, second in last year’s Hendrie and Wildcat Marie, who came into the feature on a three-race win streak.
The duo took the seven-horse field through spirited opening splits of :22.29 and :44.87, with Embur’s Song waiting for the cue from Husbands.
“It takes good horses to run fast,” said Husbands. “Good horses make good riders.”
Embur’s Song is now 4-for-8 lifetime, along with six top-three finishes.
The Ontario-bred returned $7.50, $4 and $2.80, combining with Ariana D ($3.30, $2.60) for a $29.60 exactor. Wildcat Marie ($2.90) completed an $82 triactor. A $1 superfecta (Indian Apple Is) returned $105.15.
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