Steve Owens and family celebrated a big win at Woodbine on July 17 when their homebred 2-year-old POULIN IN O T sped to a 3 1/4 length win over five rivals in the $149,250 Victoria Stakes. As an Ontario homebred, Poulin in O T earned the Nobleton, ON family $90,000 for the win.
Trained by Owens, who shared ownership with Empress Stable of his wife Beverly, mother-in-law and daughter Emma, Poulin in O T briefly tracked an early speed battle between Uncle Jock and Velocitor before moving to the lead at the quarter-pole under Luis Contreras. From there, the chestnut gelding darted away. Battle Strike, owned by Tracy Farmer and also an Ontario-bred, rallied for second while Velocitor held third.