Perfect Forester prevailed in a three-way photo finish in the semi-final of the inaugural Turf Sprint Series contested over the new inner turf course on Wednesday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.
With Rafael Hernandez aboard, Perfect Forester bested the top two finishers from the series’ July 10 opening leg that also ended in a close call. He nosed out Stormy Rush, the 11-year-old upset winner in the first round, with Nashville Knight right there between the pair at the finish of the five-furlong sprint.
Nashville Knight had led the field into the stretch with Perfect Forester looming to his outside before Stormy Rush dashed through at the rail to set up the thrilling stretch duel. The final time was :56.15.
Making his series debut after winning a $20,000 claiming race last time out on June 22, Perfect Forester was the 4-1 co-second choice on the toteboard and paid $10.40 to win.
Norm McKnight trains the seven-year-old gelded son of Old Forester for owner Bruno Schickedanz. Perfect Forester surpassed the $200,000 mark in lifetime earnings and now sports a record reading 8-6-4 from 28 starts.
The Turf Sprint Series is for horses three years old and up that have started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in 2018-2019. The $75,000 finale is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Live Thoroughbred racing continues at Woodbine on Friday, Aug. 2, with first race post time set for 4:05 p.m.
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