Ariana D. scores $39 upset in Bessarabian

ETOBICOKE, Ontario— Ariana D came charging from the back of the 12-horse field to prevail in an upset in the $152,800 Bessarabian Stakes Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack.

Waccamaw set honest fractions going into a strong wind in the seven-furlong sprint, before a stalking Hooh Why took control just inside the quarter pole. Ariana D commenced a six-wide rally on the turn, and she overhauled a tiring Hooh Why in deep stretch to win by a neck over the closing favorite, Sugar Again. Hooh Why finished another length back in third, and Much Obliged was along for fourth.

Indian Apple Is, a contender for a Sovereign Award as Canada’s champion female sprinter, finished a distant eighth in the field of 12 fillies and mares.

Ariana D ($39.10) completed the distance in 1:22.97 under Omar Moreno, who was riding without his apprentice allowance.

“I thought I was going to be up in the front, but when we came out, she automatically sat off of it,” said Moreno. “She was very comfortable back there. I didn’t want to go so wide, but that’s what we had to do, and we got the job done. My horse was really digging in, all the way through.”

Ariana D, who had been based in Kentucky, earned $90,000 for owner William Thompson Jr. It was her first start for trainer Laurie Silvera.