The Ontario Sire Heritage Series launched July 8 at Woodbine Racetrack with a pair of $100,000 stakes, the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The five-furlong inner turf events are part of the Ontario Sire Heritage Series, an eight-leg stakes series open to Ontario sired three-year-olds to be contested at Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks.
First up was the Lake Huron for sophomore colts and geldings.
Silent Reserve, fresh off a sparkling, six-length maiden-breaking score over the same surface and same distance on June 18, broke quickly and secured the lead, as Patches O’Houlihan tracked the pacesetter from second. Multiple stakes winner Poulin in O T sat third, with Kinetic Stone trailing in fourth through an opening panel in a brisk :21.37.
PATCHES O’HOULIHAN, trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Robert Tiller for owner/breeder Frank Di Giulio, Jr., began to cut into the lead of his rival and mid-way down the lane took control, going on to notch a 1 ¼-length win in :56.49 over firm going.
Daily Racing Form reported the Beyer Speed Figure as 89. Silent Reserve was second, a length in front of a late-charging Poulin in O T. Kinetic Stone was fourth. Awesome Bourbon was scratched.
“He is a good horse,” praised Fukumoto. “I just followed the speed. It was a question mark for me whether he likes grass or not, but when he broke, he was going good and I just followed the speed.”
It was the fourth win from five starts for Patches O’Houlihan, who came into the Lake Huron on a two-race win streak.
The son of Reload – Maythefourthbwithu by Silent Name (Jpn) w on his maiden on the Tapeta in his season debut on May 21 with a hefty 93 Beyer Figure.
“There was, definitely,” offered Tiller, of concerns running on the grass again. “And the five-eighths, honestly. He proved to me today that he’s a really good horse. I really believe he’s a good horse.”
Sent off as the 2-1 third choice, Patches O’Houlihan returned $6 for the win.
The gelding is the third named foal and second to race for DiGilui’s Maythefourthbwithu, who won six of 15 races and over $261,000. DiGiulio purchased the Silent Name filly as a yearling for just over $4,000.
In the Georgian Bay, for three-year-old fillies, 9-2 SOUPER SUNDAY (Souper Speedy – Mrs. Donaghy by Military) powered home to record her third straight victory and first stakes triumph in a time of :57.24 over firm ground. The margin of victory was 2 ¼ lengths.
The Steve Owens and Beverly Lewis-bred filly began 2023 racing for $15,000 and $25,00 claiming. This was her stakes debut.
After breaking on top, Souper Sunday yielded the lead to Cara Cara, who took her 10 rivals through an opening quarter in :21.86. Several riders were forced to check along the backstretch, but the frontrunners remained unaffected.
Souper Sunday, with Eswan Flores aboard, seized control, finding themselves a length on top at the stretch call, as a determined Cara Cara dug in gamely along the rail, while the duo of Flowers n’ Berries and Foolish Games had rallied into contention.
In the final yards, Souper Sunday pulled away to earn the win. Flowers ‘n Berries was a neck in front of Foolish Games for the runner-up spot. Cara Cara was a further neck back in fourth.
“Last year, she was growing, a two-year-old with lots of aches and pains. Rushed her a little bit. In the end, we sent her to the farm. She came back in real good order.”
Saturday’s win was a special one for the multiple graded stakes-winning trainer.
“The Ontario Sire program is what our family always looks for. We are Ontario breeders, and we try and support the industry the best we can.”
Souper Sunday, now 3-0-3 from eight starts, paid $11.70 for the win.
She is from the unraced mare Mrs. Donaghy whose first foal was multiple stakes winner Longdon Tower. The mare’s 5-year-old, Bodacious Miss, is a multiple winner.
(edited press release)
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