Nikkis Smartypants survived a speed duel with Little River to take Sunday’s Grade 3 $175,500 Royal North Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Bob Tiller for owner Ben Hutzel, the Ontario-bred daughter of Smarty Jones made her turf debut a memorable one with a determined effort in the six furlong sprint for fillies, three-years-old and upward.
Sensible Lady, sent to post as the 7-5 choice, missed the break and spotted the field several lengths as Nikkis Smartypants and Little River battled through a quarter in :22.62. Little River took a narrow lead into the turn as Roxy Gap, making her seasonal debut, rolled into contention under Luis Contreras.
Sensible Lady, recovered from her difficult start, loomed into contention as the field straightened out for the stretch run, but Nikkis Smartypants, piloted by Eurico Rosa da Silva, stayed on strong to notch a 1 1/2-length win.
Why Katherine closed up the rail to win a place photo over Little River. Nikkis Smartypants stopped the clock in 1:09.49.
Da Silva had great confidence in his filly throughout the race.
“I knew I had a lot of horse today,” said da Silva. “My horse was really focused, she was ready and all she wanted to do was run.
Tiller did not feel the need to train the bay, out of the Red Ransom mare Scarlet Slipper, over the lawn in advance of her turf debut.
“Her feet and her breeding indicated she would handle turf,” said Tiller. “The bottom line is that a horse is either going to like it (the turf) or not like it, plain and simple.”
Nikkis Smartypants, who very much liked the turf, banked $108,000 in victory, while improving her record to 4-1-0 from six career starts.
She returned $19.60, $8.40 and $5.80, pairing with Why Katherine ($7.40, $4.60) for a $107.10 (3-1) exactor. A 3-1-7 (Little River, $9.90 to show) triactor was worth $1440.90. Roxy Gap completed a $1 Superfecta (3-1-7-5) worth $4079.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
