Jen's Woodbine Wrap: Curlin's Voyage, McKnight, and So Long Eurico

From a celebration for a retiring Champion to the continuing hot streak by the Norm McKnight Stable and a stirring stretch battle between a pair of nice Canadian bred juvenile fillies, the Woodbine weekend of 33 races was packed with all sorts of interesting happenings.

TOP WINNING BEYER SPEED FIGURES FROM DAILY RACING FORM

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88 OCCASIONAL VIEW

86 ROARING FORTIES

85 WALDORF

85 FULL EXTREME

84 ELLANATION

83 CURLIN’S VOYAGE

82 WALKABOUT CREEK

82 BURNING MAN

82 ALACRITIOUS

80 DOTTED LINE -Kingarvie Stakes

CURLIN’S VOYAGE won a stretch battle with MERVEILLEUX in the $125,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at Woodbine Dec. 8 posting a nice 83 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trainer Josie Carroll was celebrating her birthday and not only watched this Curlin – Atlantic Voyage byStormy Atlantic win the Lassie by a nose but had her first Gulfstream starter of this winter win. Runway Dreamer took a maiden race at that track earlier in the day for owner Craig Singer.

Owned by breeder John Sikura Jr.’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and the Windsor Boys Stable, Curlin’s Voyage was ridden for the first time by Patrick Husbands. Away second-to-last in a field of six Ontario-bred two-year-old fillies competing over 1-1/16 miles, Husbands moved Curlin’s Voyage into striking range down the backstretch and rallied wide on the final turn with Merveilleux closing between horses. Those two took off in a battle to the wire, with Curlin’s Voyage ultimately prevailing in a head decision and stopping the clock in 1:43.85. Merveilleux, a Paynter filly bred by Mike Carroll and owned by Bill and Al Ulwelling gave a good fight.

“I knew the horse on the inside – she’s a good filly – but I just wanted to keep a head on her swinging for home,” said Husbands of the stretch duel.

November Fog, who led through fractions of :24.62, :48.95 and 1:13.16, followed 2-1/4 lengths behind in third. Avie’s Samurai, Cool Shadows and The Pink Pegasus completed the order of finish.

Despite trouble in the gate last time out October 26, Curlin’s Voyage finished fourth in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes won by Cool Shadows.

“Going into the last race from viewing the tape, I see she was given a little bit of trouble in the gates but today she was calm and a different horse,” said Husbands.

Carroll noted the incident in the starting gate last time hindered her chances in that race tremendously.

“She came back to the barn with a loose tooth and a cut face,” explained Carroll. “It took a very long time for her to get over that. I have to give my crew great credit. Billy, who gets on her, and her groom, they really did a lot of work settling this filly back down – it really rattled her.”

It was the second stakes win for Curlin’s Voyage, who was placed first through disqualification in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes this fall. She now has a 3-1-1 record from 6 starts.

The victory gives Curlin’s Voyage a good chance to the Sovereign Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Filly. Her main competition will come from INFINITE PATIENCE, the undefeated superstar from Hastings Racecourse who was named BC Horse of the Year last week. Both Curlin’s Voyage and Infinite Patience have co-owners from the National Hockey League – Joel Quennville, former player and coach and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who plays for the Edmonton Oilers respectively.

Eurico da Silva had been riding the filly but as he is retiring at year’s end, Carroll made the move to Husbands, who may not ride again this year as he is slated for surgery to examine issues with his previous major injury to his pelvis.

In other action, meet-leading trainer Norm McKnight posted 1-2 finishes in three races and ended the 13-dash card with a total of five wins.

Kevin Attard won three races and has surged past his best lifetime win total for a season. He has 63 wins bettering his total from last year of 58 which was his previous best.

Curlin’s Voyage edges Merveilleux in the Ontario Lassie Stakes

Six-time Sovereign Award-winning jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva, who is approaching the finish line of his successful racing career with plans to retire at the conclusion of the meet, was feted in a winner’s circle ceremony on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack.

Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, and Jonathan Zammit, VP of Thoroughbred Racing Operations, made a special presentation to Da Silva in the winner’s circle following the fifth race.

“This is certainly a special day,” said Lawson during the presentation to Da Silva. “I think the nicest compliment you can pay to someone when they retire is that we’ll miss them, and we’ll miss you. On the other hand, you’re a big part of the Woodbine family and we hope you remain part of the Woodbine family, so all the best in your retirement and don’t be a stranger, Eurico. Thank you for everything.”

Surrounded by his family, friends and fellow horsemen, Da Silva took the opportunity to thank the many people who have supported him both on and off the track throughout his career.

“I have no words to explain how I feel,” said Da Silva. “I tried to not cry. All I want to say is nobody does it by yourself… I work with great people. It’s teamwork.

“You guys have been wonderful for me. My time came and it’s time for me to walk away, but good luck to everybody!”

Prior to the race card, Da Silva signed autographs and took photos with guests in the grandstand. Fans received commemorative t-shirts that featured his popular catchphrase “Good Luck To Everybody” with a donation to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society. Da Silva, a longtime supporter of LongRun, also pledged to personally match the donations from the t-shirts up to $3,000.

“Eurico has been a huge supporter of LongRun since he joined Woodbine’s jockey colony. He has supported individual horses, done stall sponsorships and even paid for operations and medical bills,” said Vicki Pappas, Chair of LongRun. “We will be dedicating one of our paddocks on our Hillsburgh farm to Eurico for all his efforts on behalf of LongRun and our horses.”

The special edition t-shirts were designed by Woodbine in partnership with Old Smoke Clothing Co., and will be sold by the racing lifestyle and clothing brand for $40 beginning on Monday (today) at www.oldsmokeclothing.com.

Ticket sales launched this weekend for the 2020 Queen’s Plate Festival, with the best grandstand seats now available for a world-class racing experience on Saturday, June 27 at Woodbine Racetrack.

Select grandstand tickets are now available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca for Canada’s premier horse racing event, showcasing the 161st running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate Stakes. In addition to the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the fashionable affair will also feature live music, delicious dining experiences and exclusive parties.

Additional ticket options will be available to purchase in early 2020. Guests can subscribe to receive email updates and special ticket offers at Woodbine.com.

Visit QueensPlate.com and follow @WoodbineTB for the latest updates on all things #QP20.