Murray Stroud’s Youcan’tcatchme lived up to her name in the featured $156,900 Seaway Stakes for fillies and mares, Saturday at Woodbine.
Sent postward a co-favourite with Roxy Gap, both at 2-1 on the toteboard although the latter was officially the chalk in the seven furlong tilt, Youcan’tcatchme and jockey Justin Stein went right to the front over five rivals, clicking off the first quarter in :23.27 before getting to the half in :46.37.
The pacesetter, however, was being pressed by Nikkis Smartypants throughout until turning for home, when Roxy Gap joined the fray and took dead aim on the leader. But Youcan’tcatchme had another gear and resolutely pulled away to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:22.95. Roxy Gap wound up a determined second, with Strike the Moon coming on for third.
It was the second win in only two starts this year for the four-year-old Florida homebred by The Daddy-Poppy’s Baby Girl, but her fifth victory in just 11 career outings. She began the season by taking the six-furlong Etobicoke Handicap comfortably on August 4 for trainer Sam DiPasquale.
The Seaway was her first stakes win but she had been stakes-placed, finishing a nose behind Atlantic Hurricane in the Ontario Fashion last November.
“She’s a typical speed horse. The company on the outside didn’t bother her at all,” said Stein. “She settled into stride nicely. That’s where she’s happy, up front. She gave me a tremendous turn of foot when we turned for home and I knew it was game over.”
Added DiPasquale, “The first race she ran this year she did it very easily. She came out of the race extremely well and sharp. She’s just an athlete and she loves running. I was quite worried about the seven-eighths (distance). It was my biggest concern. I thought the last sixteenth of a mile would be a struggle for her, but now being four years old, she’s a lot stronger than last year. She got it done.”
Youcan’tcatchme picked up $90,000 for the win to push her career bankroll to over $300,000. She paid $6.40, $3.70 and $3, combining with Roxy Gap ($3.20, $2.60) for a $24.30 (2-4) exactor. A 2-4-3 (Strike the Moon, $3.30) triactor was worth $56.70.
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