Three-year-old filly MUNNYFOR RO completed a dream season for owner Raj Maharajh and Kevin Attard with an emphatic win in the Ontario Damsel Stakes on Halloween at Woodbine. There were no scary moments for the rugged filly who began 2021 racing in January for a $35,000 claiming price.
Munnyfor Ro, ridden by Justin Stein, took the $142,500 Damsel for three-year-old fillies, contested at 1 1/16 miles over a Tapeta surface that was kind to horses close to the pace all weekend.
After slow opening splits of :25.59 and :50.85, the tempo began to pick up down the lane, as 8-5 choice Munnyfor Ro, fourth and gaining steadily at the stretch call, rallied impressively to win by a length in a time of 1:45.36. Oyster Box was second and Gold for Kitten was third.
“I expected a little more pace, but I was in a good spot,” said Stein, who now has 12 stakes scores on the campaign. “She was sitting comfortably in behind the slower pace and we were in the right spot for those fractions. When I called on her, she was there. She gave me everything.”
Owned by Raroma Stable and trained by Kevin Attard, the daughter of Munnings – Repartee by Distorted Humor launched her career last October at Woodbine, finishing eighth in her debut. She went to Florida and raced for trainer Brian Lynch. The filly won her maiden two races after competing for the claiming price, finished sixth in the Grade III Regret Stakes, and then was sent to Woodbine.
Now 4-2-2 from 11 starts, the chestnut has had a banner 2021 season, highlighted by three stakes scores, including the Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser and the Wonder Where. She was fourth to Safe Conduct in the Queen’s Plate.
Bred by Mark Dodson’s Daybar Ltd., Munnyfor Ro is a leading candidate for Canadian Horse of the Year.
“She’s done everything we’ve asked and now she’s going to get a deserved break and some sunshine on her back and have a chance to kind of drop her head and eat some grass in the south,” said Attard, who has eight stakes victories in 2021.
Repartee has a 2-year-old filly, Retort, by Liam’s Map and a yearling filly by Unified named Navajo Nation.
Ontario Derby (G3)
Frosted Over, under leading rider Kazushi Kimura, pulled off the mild upset in the $159,300 Grade 3 Ontario Derby (G3), Sunday at Woodbine.
Swot Analysis quickly crossed over from post seven to lead his seven rivals into the first turn and through an opening quarter in :25.63, as Kimura and Frosted Over settled into second spot, 1 ½-lengths behind the leader.
It was status quo for the top pair after a half reached in :50.21, with Kimura keeping a patient hand on his charge and close tabs on the pacesetter. After three-quarters timed in 1:14.26, Kimura called on Frosted Over and the Gary Barber-owned bay answered emphatically, coasting by the leader and holding a half-length advantage at the stretch call clocked in 1:38.14.
Frosted Over then widened his advantage with ease, crossing the line 3 ¾-lengths ahead of Riptide Rock, who was 1 ½-lengths ahead of Artie’s Storm.
The final time for 1 1/8 miles over the Tapeta was 1:50.50.
“I knew today it was a strong wind, so I just wanted to cross to the front,” said Kimura. “My horse is a closer, and it was smooth to get a good position. I was just the hand to make him steady. I’ve liked this horse since I broke the maiden. He was at one point training for the seven furlongs, and I was like, ‘Man, that horse is going to be a stakes winner,’ and he did it today.”
Winning the race is nothing new for Kimura.
“I have been having an amazing year, and you know what, last year I won the Ontario Derby (with Field Pass) as well.”
It was the third win from six career starts, third in the past four engagements, and first stakes victory for Frosted Over.
The Mark Casse trainee finished ninth in his debut last October at Churchill Downs and followed it up with a sixth-place effort at Fair Grounds in December.
The son of Frosted-Candy Crush by Candy Ride (Arg) broke his maiden in his three-year-old opener on June 20 at Woodbine, finished fourth in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on July 11, and arrived at the Ontario Derby off an allowance score on September 11.
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