Get Rhythm rallied wide down the lane to earn her first stakes score in Sunday’s $140,000 Ontario Debutante Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Catherine Day Phillips for an ownership group that includes Anderson Farms Ontario, Inc., Kingview Farms, Sean Fitzhenry, and John Fielding, Get Rhythm arrived at the six furlong ‘Poly’ sprint for juvenile fillies from a fifth-place run in the Shady Well Stakes when racing on the engine.
Eurico Rosa da Silva settled into third position along the rail in the Ontario Debutante as Un Po Di Vino set splits of :23.23 and :46.87 under pressure from mutuel favourite Amira J who shipped in from Arlington Park off an impressive 14-length debut score that earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.
Londie Lou, with Justin Stein up, was urged into contention through the turn as Amira J took after the pacesetter and da Silva left the rail with Get Rhythm in search of racing room. Amira J surged clear midway through the stretch run, but Get Rhythm found his best stride late and arrived in the nick of time to secure a 1/2-length win. Amira J won a place photo by a nose over Londie Lou. Get Rhythm covered six furlongs in 1:10.82.
Da Silva believes the off-the-pace tactics made all the difference in the Ontario Debutante as the filly redeemed her previous front-running effort in the Shady Well Stakes.
“We always train her from behind, but I got a little overexcited last race and put her on the lead. I think that was a big mistake,” said da Silva. “We continued training by coming from behind with her and she was very relaxed today and ran wonderful.”
Day Phillips was pleased with the maturity of her filly who graduated at first asking on June 20.
“She just seemed more relaxed in general today,” said Day Phillips. “She was maybe a little excited after her first race and now she’s a little more confident. I think she’s got it going now.”
Get Rhythm, bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. and Marette Farrell, banked $90,000 in victory while improving her record to two wins from four starts.
She paid $11.90 and $3.80 combining with Amira J ($2.10) for a $25.20 (2-3) exactor. A 2-3-4 triactor (Londie Lou) was worth $32.50. There was no show wagering offered.
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