Bred and owned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings,
Moonlit Promise was second choice on the toteboard but first where it counted most, winning Saturday's Grade 3 $126,500 Ontario Fashion Stakes, at Woodbine.
Sent postward at 2-1, Moonlit Promise, under jockey Gary Boulanger, was initially settled near the back of the pack in the six furlong main track feature, as Southern Ring and Code Warrior took their rivals through a quarter-mile in :22.52.
The pacesetters were still calling the shots after a half in :44.94, while Moonlit Promise had improved to third position on the outside in the seven-horse stake.
Southern Ring and Code Warrior continued to duel as the field headed into the final turn, but Moonlit Promise, patiently handled by Boulanger, was given her cue and the pair soon seized command.
Moonlit Promise had plenty in reserve down the lane to hold off closer Minks Aprise for a 1 ¼-length win in a final running time of 1:09.06. Code Warrior bested Southern Ring by a nose for show honours, but the latter was disqualified and placed seventh after stewards ruled interference against mutuel favourite Stormy Victoria in the stretch run.
The Ontario Fashion was the second win in two starts this year for the four-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon, and her fifth victory in eight career outings.
Today’s score also marked the second straight stakes triumph of the campaign for the Josie Carroll trainee. In September, Moonlit Promise returned to action and took the Sweet Briar Too Stakes, just over 10 months after finishing sixth in last November’s Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes.
Boulanger was pleased with another strong effort from the Kentucky-bred bay that won last year’s La Lorgnette Stakes.
“This filly has been really, really good to me,” offered the veteran rider. “Last year, I got to ride her and this year, first time out of the box, she wins the (6 ½-furlong) Sweet Briar Too. She came into this race really, really well. She trained forwardly and I wasn’t worried about the cutback in distance. She’s impressed me all along.”
Carroll also trained graded stakes winner Smart Surprise, the dam of Moonlit Promise.
“She’s just a wonderful mare who is obviously going to produce some great offspring,” offered the conditioner of Smart Surprise, who won or placed in 21 of 22 starts and earned $508,709.
Moonlit Promise returned $6.80, $3.40 and $2.90, pairing with Minks Aprise ($5.90, $4) for a $42.80 (6-4) exactor. A 6-4-7 (Code Warrior, $4.20 to show) triactor was worth $177.50. A $1 Superfecta of 6-4-7-5 (Sugar Jones) returned $570.10. River Maid was scratched.
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Courtesy of Woodbine Communications Office
PHOTO: Moonlit Promise winning the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion Stakes on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Woodbine Racetrack. (Michael Burns Photography)
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