There were four graded stakes races at Woodbine on June 1 (see our report on the bet365 Eclipse Stakes here) and two of them went to favourites. The race that figured to have the surest winner was the Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3), a 6 furlong sprint for four-year-olds and upward on Tapeta. The dash was a rematch between Thorncliffe Stakes one-two finishers Candy Overload and the Australian-bred Flag of Honour. But anyone who watched the Thorncliffe knew that Flag of Honour was going to turn the tables Saturday.
The son of American Pharoah, who came to Woodbine from Australia last year in search of Lasix, won the Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) in just his second race in Ontario for trainer Julia Carey. Owned by Ron and Judy Wanless, Flag of Honour was hung out wide in the Thorncliffe and just missed winning. It was a better trip for him in the Jacques Cartier as he went to the lead along the inside under Kazushi Kimura, set average fractions on a very slow surface, and led throughout to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.79 for a 98 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
A $330,391 Magic Millions purchase as a yearling, Flag of Honour made an impressive pre-race appearance and he won at 9-to-5. The win was his fifth from 10 career races and he will be an exciting one to watch this year in the sprint division on Tapeta or turf.
Kazushi Kimura guides Flag of Honour (Aus) to victory in the $135,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes. Flag of Honour is owned by R.M. Wanless and Mrs. J. M. Wanless and trained by Julia Carey. (Woodbine/ Michael Burns Photo)
As predictable as the Jacques Cartier was, the Belle Mahone Stakes (G3) was a bit more confusing as Terra Racing’s homebred four-year-old FASHIONABLY FAB, a top three-year-old filly last year in the Ontario-sired ranks, enjoyed a dream trip under apprentice rider Pietro Moran and out-battled graded stakes winner Solo Album to win the 1 1/16 mile race by a neck at 7-to-1. The dark bay daughter of Silent Name (Jpn) – Flashy’s Legacy by Curlin, stopped the clock in 1:43.73 and earned a career-best 92 Beyer Figure.
Riding in only his 40th race, young Pietro Moran picked up the mount on the Kevin Attard trainee when regular rider Patrick Husbands took John Oxley’s Forever Dixie, winner of the Ontario Damsel Stakes last year. And the field was an imposing one for ‘Fab’ who ended 2023 with four straight stakes wins on two different distances.
Champion Older Mare of 2023, MILLIE GIRL, was back and recent winner METAPHYSICAL, a graded stakes-placed newcomer to Woodbine, also added to the intrigue of the race.
But not a lot happened in the race as Solo Album set a moderate pace with Metaphysical tracking and Fashionably Fab tucked in a close-up third. It was a long way back to the others, who simply were out of the race early.
Into the stretch, Moran guided his Fab filly off the rail to engage Solo Album and they edged that filly and jockey Sahin Civaci.
Moran was visibly emotional when winning his first stakes race.
“The trip was perfect, but first of all I want to thank the owners and Kevin especially, everyone who has helped me along the way,” said Moran.
“She’s a special filly,” he continued. “I’ve been on her, I’ve worked her since before she ever ran her first race, I’ve worked her from the gate. We always knew she was special and I’m thankful to the owners and Kevin for giving me this opportunity. I had a good horse under me.”
Glassman Racing’s PLAY THE MUSIC burst onto the Woodbine scene on May 4 when she came into town for the Whimsical Stales (G3) on Tapeta. She announced her presence with a spectacular pre-race appearance and won that race with ease for trainer Mark Casse. It was almost as easy on Saturday when she took the Royal North Stakes (G3) on the turf. Patrick Husbands once again rode Play the Music (Mo Town – Hey Little Sister by Jump Start) and the pair stalked stablemate Miss Speedy who set the pace in the 6 1/2 furlong event. Husbands bided his time into the stretch and then let the filly dart up the rail on her way to victory over second favourite Secret Money. The latter was later disqualified as she caused interference in the stretch. Miss Speedy was placed second. The time was 1:14.85.
Play the Music’s dam, the unraced Hey Little Sister, has nine other named foals, eight winners and an unraced juvenile. Second dam Bride in the Wings is a daughter of the Stronach Stables’ mare Bridal Wings (dam of Road Rush, Falkenburg, etc.). Fourth dam Reasonable Sin produced multiple stakes winner Native Factor, among others.
Patrick Husbands guides Play the Music to victory in the end $135,000 HPIbet Royal North Stakes for owner Glassman Racing LLC and trainer Mark Casse. (Woodbine/ Michael Burns Photo)
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