Piper’s Legacy, a five-year-old daughter of Silent Name, takes on seven rivals in the $100,000 Eternal Search Stakes, which headlines the fillies and mares-filled Ladies Night on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at Woodbine.
Trained by Don MacRae, the Chiefswood Stable homebred will see her first stakes action in the 1 1/16-mile feature that will be contested over the Toronto oval’s inner turf course.
Piper’s Legacy, supplemented to the Eternal Search, owns a record of three wins from five starts, including two victories in two starts this season.
After one win from three starts – all at Woodbine – to launch her career, the bay has hit her best stride in 2019.
On June 7, Piper’s Legacy, under Jerome Lermyte, was 2 1/4-lengths the best in a 1 1/16-mile turf race, crossing the wire under a hand ride.
The mare made it two straight scores after a head win as the 4-5 favourite on July 31. Three lengths ahead at the stretch call in the 1 1/16-mile grass race, Piper’s Legacy dug in to secure the trip to the winner’s circle.
“She’s always been a filly who has shown some talent,” said MacRae, who recently eclipsed the 500-win mark for his career. “We have to space out her races, but this is one time we can wheel her back in a bit quicker fashion than we’re usually used to. She’s doing well. I was really pleased with her last race, so I thought we’d give her a shot.”
On Wednesday night, she’ll look to deliver her connections a third consecutive triumph.
“It will be a bit of an experience with the inner turf, but I think the race shapes up well for her and we’re hoping for a big effort. We’ll throw our hats on the infield if that (three straight wins) happens.”
Piper’s Legacy debuted in December 2017, finishing sixth in the six-furlong maiden special weight event. One race later, the following May, she broke her maiden courtesy of a 3 3/4-length victory over 6 1/2 furlongs over the Woodbine Tapeta.
“She’s phenomenal,” said MacRae, who has a record of 12-9-7 from 43 starts this season. “She has a perfect racehorse attitude and loves what she does. In the barn, we always call her the supermodel because she’s such a good-looking filly.”
Ladies Night will share the spotlight with the Eternal Search on the eight-race card.
All ladies dining in Favourites and Woodbine Club will receive a discount on the buffet with a reservation and a free Woodbine wine traveler. Wine specials will also be available in both dining rooms. For reservations, call 416-675-7223.
Putting their own unique spin on classic Motown, Funk and R&B tunes, The Jessica Lovejoys will perform live on the second floor of the grandstand throughout the evening. Guests can sample wines from Mark Anthony Wines and Colio Estate Wines on site and enjoy a fun and fashionable night at the races with photo ops and contests.
Visitors can also enter a special Spin to Win Contest for a chance to win a selection of prizes, including a grand prize offering of an all-inclusive Ricoh Woodbine Mile experience, by registering with designated guest experience representatives.
Last year, Joey Gee Thoroughbreds’ Line of Vision won the Eternal Search, returning $8.20 for the victory.
The race is named after the three-time Canadian champion, purchased at age two for $50,000 by Mel Lawson, who raced her under his Jim Dandy Stable banner. Eternal Search retired from racing with 15 stakes victories and posted a record of 18-11-2 from 44 starts. She was trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Ted Mann.
The Eternal Search is scheduled as race seven on Wednesday’s 6:45 p.m. program.
Fans and can also watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.
$100,000 ETERNAL SEARCH STAKES
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – She’s the Berries – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
2 – Silent Respect – Leo Salles – Ralph Biamonte
3 – Zestina – Gary Boulanger – Sid Attard
4 – Red Cabernet – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Sid Attard
5 – Without a Doubt – Kazushi Kimura – Ralph Biamonte
6 – Crumlin Queen – Davy Moran – Michael Doyle
7 – Piper’s Legacy – Jerome Lermyte – Don MacRae
8 – Miss Sea – Luis Contreras – Mike Keogh
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