Line of Vision, rallying strongly from off the pace, was along in time to score a half-length victory under jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva in Saturday’s $125,400 Victorian Queen at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Victorian Queen, a six-furlong stakes for Ontario-sired two-year-old fillies, attracted a field of nine and Line of Vision, trained by Andrew Smith, was sent off as the 3.80-1 second choice.
“Andrew told me to just follow the race where she feels comfortable,” said Da Silva, who is the meet leader in races won, money won and stakes won with a total of 27.
Without a Doubt, the second-longest shot on the board at 39.75-1, quickly sprinted clear from her No. 7 post and opened a 2 1/2-length lead through an opening quarter in :23.05.
Mega Monster stalked from second on the outside with Hatch Gate in close attendance on her flank and Silent Sinner next on the rail.
Line of Vision, who had been racing between horses from sixth place, was about five lengths off the lead.
“I was just waiting [down the backside] because I have a horse that was going very, very fast on the lead,” said Da Silva. “At that point, I said, you know what, there’s no use to start aiming for that horse. I was just trying to focus on my horse and make a good run in the last part of the race.”
Without a Doubt was still going strong with a three-length lead over Mega Monster through a half in :45.99 and Line of Vision still had plenty to do.
At the eighth pole, Without a Doubt still led by 1 1/2 lengths, with Mega Monster holding second and She’s the Berries third.
Line of Vision had hit her best stride on the outside, however, and was not to be denied as she stopped the clock in 1:11.08.
Without a Doubt held for second, a neck before She’s the Berries with Mega Monster another length back in fourth.
Rosemere, the only non-winner in the race, was favoured at 6-5 but never entered serious contention while finishing fifth.
Hatch Gate, Miss Honeypotts, Lassie’s Tears and Silent Sinner rounded out the order of finish.
Rafael Hernandez, riding Hatch Gate, lodged a claim of foul against the winner alleging interference at the quarter-pole. The stewards dismissed the claim.
Line of Vision, who was bred in Ontario by Dr. B. Van Arem and races for the Joe Guerrieri’s Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, had won first crack out at 6 1/2 furlongs and then rallied wide to finish a closing third in the Muskoka, the 6 1/2 furlong yearling sales stakes for two-year-old fillies.
Purchased for $22,000 at the sale, the Court Vision-Gold Lined filly was the third stakes winner from 39 attempts for Smith and his first in limited attempts since 2008.
“We were shortening up here and that worried me,” said Smith. “We wanted to run longer but this was the race to go into. ”
Line of Vision paid $9.60, $5.60 and $3.30. She combined with Without a Doubt ($23.90, $8.90) for a 4-7 exacta worth $247.60. A $1 trifecta of 4-7-2 (She’s the Berries, $3.90) paid $639.25 and a $1 superfecta of 4-7-2-6 (Mega Monster) returned $2,294.30.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
