Unzip Me, making her Canadian debut for trainer Marty Jones, got back on the winning track in Holiday Monday’s featured $157,400 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine.
The Toronto oval’s world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course proved to be the perfect tonic for a return to the winner’s circle for the California-based four-year-old daughter of City Zip. After reeling off five consecutive scores, Unzip Me finished third in the Robert K. Kerlan Memorial on June 27, ending her streak.
The California-bred wouldn’t be denied on Monday, however.
Expertly handled by jockey Joe Talamo, the chestnut tracked fellow multiple stakes winner Mother Russia through openings splits of :22.37 and :44.83, then glided by her rival in mid-stretch for a two-length score, in a quick 1:08.05 over a ‘firm’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Mullins Beach finished third, while Minute Limit was fourth.
“I had such a great trip and she’s so versatile,” said Talamo. “I know in all of her races she’s on the lead, but she definitely doesn’t need it. She did all the work down the lane. She was incredible.
“When you ride good horses like that, you know she’s got a really good kick in her. There was plenty left.”
Owned by breeders John Harris and Don Valpredo, Per Antonsen and Jones, Unzip Me has five wins and one third from six starts in 2010, after two wins, two seconds and a third from seven starts last year. “It’s quite an experience, a wonderful thrill,” said Valpredo.
Unzip Me already has a graded stakes win this year, a 1 ¼-length victory in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas at Santa Anita on April 11. “When we put her on the grass, she seemed to turn on,” said Jones.
“I think she can go further, too, at some point. She has trouble running on turns and that was one of the reasons we came up here because it has the big, wide turn. She really seemed to enjoy it.”
Unzip Me paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10, combining with Mother Russia ($4.90, $3.80) for a $14.60 exactor. Mullins Beach completed a $42 triactor.
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