Toronto, ON – Woodford Racing’s Tasty Temptation was a determined winner of Sunday’s $100,000 Hill ‘N’ Dale Stakes at Woodbine.
The Mark Casse trainee wore down front-runner La Rocca and staved off a bold late bid from her arch-rival Milwaukee Appeal, last year’s champion three-year-old filly and Woodbine Oaks heroine. The victory was the fourth straight score for the gray Medaglia d’Oro filly, who is 3-for-3 in 2010 with $160,380 in earnings. Arriving at the wire in 1:43.93 for 1 1/16 miles, Tasty Temptation defeated Milwaukee Appeal by a length. La Rocca was third.
After the race, Casse said jockey Patrick Husbands felt that the four-year-old filly had to work for her fifth career victory. “She ran hard in the (May 29) race,” said Casse. “She may have bounced (today). She was a little dull, but she was still able to win. I think she’s improved this year.”
Last year, Tasty Temptation was second in the La Lorgnette and Woodbine Oaks, fourth in the Queen’s Plate. She ended her sophomore campaign with a half-length score in the Wonder Where Stakes.
In addition to the $60,000 winner’s share of the purse, Woodford Racing is eligible to receive a 2011 breeding season to one of three Hill ‘N’ Dale stallions: Zensational, Roman Ruler or Heatseeker.
Tasty Temptation returned $3.60, $2.10 and $2.10, combining with Milwaukee Appeal ($2.50, $2.10) for a $5.90 exactor. La Rocca ($2.40) rounded out an $11.20 triactor.
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