FILO DI ARIANNA (Brz) popped up at Woodbine in June 2021 after almost a two-year layoff for trainer Mark Casse and owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch. The chestnut horse had won all three races in Brazil including a pair of graded stakes events by a total of 27 1/4 lengths.
His Canadian debut off that long layoff was a stunner as he won a seven furlong turf race in 1:19.80.
But then the son of Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer – Principessa Capri by Northern Afleet, went on the sidelines again. When he reappeared this April at Keeneland, he faded in the Grade 2 Shakertown and stumbled in the Grade 1 Jaipur.
Back at Woodbine on July 3 and with Lasix added, the 6-year-old flew to a big win on the Tapeta with a 102 Beyer Speed Figure. That set the table for his outing in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup on July 24.
Jockey Luis Contreras, who picked up the mount from an injured Kazushi Kimura, was merely a passenger as the pair led the field all the way to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:20.36 for seven furlongs.
The tough stalwart March to the Arch, hard held while rank early in the race, completed a one-two Casse finish, nosing out Silent Poet for second spot. Chewing Gum was fourth.
Filo Di Arianna means ‘Ariadne’s Thread’ which comes from Greek mythology about a thread that is used to help people find their way.
*Ontario-bred LADY MOONSHINE won her maiden in race nine for Bet Two Seven Stables and trainer Mark Casse. The daughter of pensioned stallion Milwaukee Brew – Lightning Lucy by Giant’s Causeway, was making her 11th career start and finally got it done in a $123,200 maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles under Rafael Hernandez.
*The late money poured in on the 2-year-old filly CAIRO CONSORT before the Kentucky-bred drew off to win race 6 at 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. The grey gal by Cairo Prince from Absolutely Awesome by Street Cry (Ire) is owned by William Thompson and trained by Nathan Squires. It was her third career start with Leo Salles riding.
(And Cairo Consort was the only winner in the Pick 6 mandatory payout Saturday that yours truly did not have, keeping, instead the filly Film. Ouch!)
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
