TORONTO, July 4, 2024 – A pair of stakes, the $100,000 Georgian Bay and $100,000 Lake Huron, mark the start of this year’s Ontario Sired Heritage Series, Sunday at Woodbine.
Established in 2021, the Ontario Sired Heritage Series is comprised of three $100,000 legs and a $100,000 final for two divisions: 3-year-old colts/geldings, and 3-year-old fillies. The total purse structure for the series is $800,000.
All three legs and the final are contested over different distances and surfaces: the Woodbine inner turf, the Woodbine E.P. Taylor turf, the Woodbine all-weather track, and Fort Erie Dirt Track.
In addition to the $400,000 in purses for each division, there is $70,000 in bonus money that is allocated to the three highest point earners in each division at the end of the series.
Multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Kevin Attard has a strong contender in both races.
The Georgian Bay, a five-furlong test for 3-year-old fillies over the inner turf, has attracted six sophomores, including Sinclairity, named after Canadian women’s soccer icon Christine Sinclair.
A daughter of Souper Speedy, the filly was dominant in her debut on May 23, a six-furlong main track sprint that drew 10 hopefuls.
Under apprentice Pietro Moran, Sinclairity, took the lead at the 5/16ths, held a four-length advantage at the stretch call and went on to secure a 2 ¼-length win in a time of 1:11.24.
“Obviously, we were very happy with that first race,” said Attard. “She broke well and settled nicely. When she took the lead, she continued to run confidently and drew away when Pietro called on her.
“It’s always nice to have one that wins first time out, but it’s even more impressive when they do it in such a professional manner.”
Owned by Canuck Racing Club, the bay came out of the race in good order and has had a steady work tab leading up to the Georgian Bay.
Sinclairity breezed four furlongs in :49.80 on June 30, seven days after posting the same time, also over the main track.
“We’re stepping up now, but all signs say she can step up her game,” said Attard. “She’s worked well coming into it and I don’t see any reason why she wouldn’t take to the turf.”
Bred in Ontario by Tabitha Lee, Sinclairity was a $26,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
Hopeton Francis in the groom.
Other hopefuls include Little Teddy, a bay daughter of Frac Daddy.
Trained by Santino Di Paola for his parents’ York Tech Racing Stable, the grey filly is 2-0-1 from four career starts.
“She is doing very well,” said Di Paola. “She’s grown and thickened up from last year to this year.”
This will be the second stakes appearance for Little Teddy, who finished third in last year’s Shady Well Stakes.
“She is definitely a Frac Daddy,” said Di Paola. “She has an attitude, and she shows it. She bucks and kicks every single morning. But when she comes over for the races, she is a total pro.”
Little Teddy heads into the Georgian Bay off a three-quarter length score at 6 ½ panels over the Woodbine main track on May 25.
“The five furlongs is the question mark, but I don’t think it will be a hindrance. She is very quick, and she has worked very well coming into the race.
“She had her first work back from her win this year on the grass and she worked great. Her :47 was last week on the main track with Kazushi Kimura. She’s not a super-fast work horse, so for her to almost breeze the bullet like she did, I think she’s peaking at the right time.”
Bred by Susan Rasmussen and H. Lothian, Little Teddy was a $15,000 (CDN) purchase at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
“It would be nice to get my parents, who are longtime supporters of Woodbine racing, into the stakes winner’s circle,” said Di Paola.
Joey Di Paola is the groom.
Five 3-year-olds will contest the Lake Huron, also run at five furlongs on the inner turf.
Live Lucky also impressed in his career bow.
Sent on his way at 9-2 in the five-furlong sprint on the inner turf, the son of Perfect Timber sat mid-pack early in the nine-hors field before drawing clear and then drawing away for a 3 ¼-length triumph in a time of :56.88 over firm ground.
“We were extremely happy and impressed with that debut,” said Attard. “He settled and then had a beautiful turn of foot to grab the lead and went on from there. There was a lot to like from that performance.”
Owned by Exline-Border Racing LLC, Michael Jawl and Aaron Kennedy, Live Lucky posted a pair of three-furlong breezes over the main track on June 22 and June 30, in :35.80 and :36.40, respectively.
Attard, a multiple Sovereign finalist for Canada’s champion trainer award, is hopeful of a duplicate effort from Live Lucky on Sunday.
“He showed he likes the grass and the distance, so the hope is that he can come back with another big run this time.
“Whether it’s the morning, afternoons, or his all-round attitude, this guy seems to do everything the right way.”
Bred by Charles Fipke, the dark bay colt was a $55,000 (US) purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
Christopher Escoffery is the groom.
Other starters include multiple stakes-placed Summer Commander, and stakes-placed Yacht Boy, and Junior Hot Shot.
First post is 1:10 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the races through HPIbet.com and bet365.com.
$100,000 Georgian Bay Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Tabloid Material – Omar Moreno – Michelle Love
2 – Little Teddy – Kazushi Kimura – Santino Di Paola
3 – Sinclairity – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
4 – Just Follow Me – Sahin Civaci – Bill Tharrenos
5 – Olivia Rose – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
6 – Strike a Chord – Fraser Ae\ebly – Michael De Paulo
$100,000 Lake Huron Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Yacht Boy – Ryan Munger – Robert Tiller
2 – Live Lucky – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard
3 – Junior Hot Shot – Justin Stein – John Ross
4 – Summer Commander – Rafael Hernandez – Stuart Simon
5 – Garofoli – Fraser Aebly – John Ross
FEATURED IMAGE: Sinclairity winning on May 23 at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)
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