Eugene Melnyk’s Roxy Gap, patiently ridden by Patrick Husbands, was a commanding winner of the $183,000 Grade 2 Hendrie Stakes, at Woodbine.
Dr. Diamonds Prize broke on top in the six and a half furlong main track event, but an anxious Sweet Cassiopeia brushed to the lead and made the quarter in :23.05 and a half in :46.06 as Roxy Gap stalked from third position along the rail.
Husbands angled Roxy Gap to the outside into the turn, took dead aim at the leader from the top of the stretch and was ridden out a two and a half length winner in a final time of 1:16.46. Dr. Diamonds Prize got up for second, three and a quarter lengths in front of Sweet Cassiopeia.
Husbands, who steered Roxy Gap to victory last time out from Post 10 in the Grade 3 Whimsical, was impressed with how the Indian Charlie-Harts Gap bay handled the inside post in the Hendrie.
“She was relaxed,” smiled Husbands. “Last time, when I was on the outside she was aggressive. This time, on the inside, she was the boss today.”
Trainer Mark Casse believes the four-year-old filly could develop into as nice a horse as 2007 Horse of the Year Sealy Hill.
“Both her and Sealy Hill were average looking two-year-olds and as they got older, they got better,” said Casse. “I can see this filly getting better. She’ll turf too. Her turf performances are good.”
She returned $3.70, $2.20 and $2.10, combining with Dr. Diamonds Prize ($3.80, $2.90) for an $14 exactor. Sweet Cassiopeia ($3.90) rounded out a triactor worth $24.35.
Kitty in a Tizzy, Dance to the Moon and Atlantic Hurricane were scratched.
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