Sharp Secretary, a daughter of Cactus Ridge, won her second consecutive race and first added-money tilt, in taking Saturday’s $151,200 Duchess Stakes at Woodbine. For the bay Landsdowne Stables filly, the seven-furlong event was her fourth lifetime score from eight starts.
The three-year-old stalked the early pace set by Simply Spiteful, who took the field through an opening quarter-mile in :22.16 and a half in :44.12. Sharp Secretary, who won two races and had one second from four starts in 2009, rallied to gain the lead just before the stretch call, then easily fended off all challenges down the lane to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
The New York-bred, ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva, who won last year’s Duchess with Carem Crescent, stopped the teletimer in 1:23.45. Kitty in a Tizzy finished second, while Chantilly Nayla was a head back for third.
Sharp Secretary came into the Duchess off an impressive 3 ½-length score in a six-furlong Polytrack race at Woodbine. She was second in the Star Shoot Stakes in her seasonal bow on April 10, before a fourth-place effort, just three-quarters of a length out of top spot, in the turf Alywow Stakes, on June 13.
Trainer Lorne Richards, joined by co-owner Dan Robb in the winner’s circle, was pleased with yet another strong performance from Sharp Secretary. “I always liked her,” said Richards, who brought Sharp Secretary with him to Florida over the winter. “I didn’t maybe think she’d be this good, but she’s always been tenacious. She’s always had a good work ethic. She’s hard not to like. I’m glad we got this one.”
Sharp Secretary paid $8.10, $5.10 and $3.30, combining with Kitty in a Tizzy ($12.50, $6.60) for a $95.50 exactor. Chantilly Nayla ($4.70) completed an $833 triactor. A $1 superfecta returned $1,865.90.
More from Canadian Thoroughbred:
