Jim and Susan Hill’s Solid Appeal arrived in the nick of time to defend her title in Sunday’s Grade 2 $213,600 Nassau Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Reade Baker and patiently ridden by Jesse Campbell, Solid Appeal was named Canada’s Champion turf female of 2013 on the back of wins in a pair of Grade 2 events, the Nassau and Dance Smartly Stakes.
The dark bay daughter of Successful Appeal-Star of the Woods arrived at the grassy one-turn mile stake off an even fifth-place effort, her seasonal debut, in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland on April 18.
Campbell settled Successful Appeal well off the early pace of Avie’s Sense and mutuel favourite Deceptive Vision, with Shaun Bridgmohan in to ride, as the front-runners battled through splits of :22.98 and :45.16 with Why Katherine stalking from fourth position.
Avie’s Sense, who emerged with the lead at the top of the lane, was passed in deep stretch by Why Katherine but Campbell had the measure of them all rallying wide to win by half a length. Why Katherine held on for place, three-quarters of a length in front of a game Deceptive Vision. Solid Appeal covered the mile in 1:33.04.
Campbell, who guided Successful Appeal to both graded scores last season, was pleased with the result.
“It’s her time of year. She loves the track and was well prepared,” said Campbell. “I’m sure she was pointed towards this race and that always helps.”
A pace duel played right into the hands of the veteran rider.
“I though there would be pace, but I didn’t think there would be that much pace,” said Campbell. “When I saw Shaun (Bridgmohan, Deceptive Vision) up there close, I knew there was pace. She was in a good spot, so I left her alone and let the race come to her…I had a lot of horse, and she finished well.”
She returned $7.40, $4.60 and $3.30, pairing with Why Katherine ($13, $5.80) for a $101.10 (2-9) exactor. A 2-9-5 (Deceptive Vision, $2.60 to show) triactor was worth $395.70. Savvy Hester completed a $1 Superfecta (2-9-5-1) worth $1334.40.
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