04/30/2011 4:10PM

Woodbine: Roxy Gap stalks and pounces as Fury favorite

By Ron Gierkink
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Michael Burns
Roxy Gap, under Patrick Husbands, prevails by three-quarters of a length in the Fury for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario— Roxy Gap held off a closing Marketing Mix to capture the $150,000 Fury Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Roxy Gap ($2.90) stalked her stablemate, Bingo, and Hoi An, who dueled through moderate fractions in the seven-furlong sprint for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies. Roxy Gap loomed into serious contention exiting the turn, and then established a clear lead at the eighth pole en route to a three-quarter-length win, in a time of 1:22.95. Marketing Mix finished five lengths clear of the fading third-place finisher, Bingo.  

Patrick Husbands rode Roxy Gap, who banked $94,500 for Melnyk Racing Stable and trainer Mark Casse.

“This was the first time Patrick rode her, and he said you have to kind of ride her the entire way,” Casse said. “That’s the way she is. She’s very laid back. She does what she has to do.”

Even after the scratches of Dreamy Moonlite and Spooky Kitten, there was show wagering on the four-horse race. Nearly all of the show money of $141,616 was bet on Roxy Gap, which created a minus pool of $28,372.