Silver Princess, with Rafael Hernandez aboard, assumed control in mid-stretch and fended off all challengers to take Saturday’s $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes at Woodbine.
Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Roger Attfield, the three-year-old chestnut daughter of Old Forester, who came into the seven-furlong event off an authoritative 4 ¼-length victory on April 15 at Woodbine, rallied stoutly as the field straightened for home, picking off pacesetter Fresh Princess and then turning back the challenge of Little Christy to notch her first added-money crown.
In victory, Silver Princess earned her third career win from five starts for owner-breeder Osprey Stable.
Hernandez kept close watch from second on leader Fresh Princess, who took the eight-horse field through early splits of :23.20 and :45.89. Hernandez had Silver Princess rolling into the final turn, as the duo soon took charge, leading by 1 ½-lengths at the stretch call. Little Christy loomed a threat in the final strides, but a determined Silver Princess held on gamely to win by a half-length in a final time of 1:22:88.
Little Christy was 1 ½-lengths ahead of mutel favourite Conquest Vivi for second.
Hernandez praised the effort of his filly, who wasn’t fazed by the quick early pace.
“I could feel her relax,” said the veteran rider. “She always breaks fast and lets you go. Everything went well. She gave you everything today. She proved a lot. We got the job done.”
Attfield was equally enthused over the professional performance from a filly that has been a handful at times.
“She’s been a very difficult filly to train,” he noted. “She’s got a mind of her own and she’s very temperamental. There were a lot of problems at the gate last year. We took her to Florida this winter and schooled her twice a week at the gate until the gate seemed like her home. We got past that part. Rafael gave her a great ride today.”
With the win, Silver Princess could be a strong contender for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, slated for Sunday, June 11 at the Toronto oval.
“I’ve got to thank Roger and I’ve got to thank a lot of other people involved with this filly,” said Sherry McLean of Osprey Stable. “Because I have a very good understanding of how difficult she was. I’m very proud of her.”
Silver Princess paid $13.50, $5.70, $3.60, combining with Little Christy ($3.60, $2.70) for a $51.10 exactor (3-4). Conquest Vivi paid $2.60 to show and rounded out a $145 triactor (3-4-8). Lisa’s Escarpment completed a $1 Superfecta (3-4-8-7) worth $267.
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