Arravale overcomes traffic to win Natalma Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Arravale ($8.80) overcame traffic problems in the stretch to capture Sunday's $179,700 Natalma Stakes, a Grade 3 turf event for 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Arravale tracked the leaders along the inside under David Clark, as 20-1 shot Top Notch Lady and favored Shelterfromastorm dueled through fractions of :23.08 and :46.25 seconds. Arravale awaited room early in the stretch, and kicked in strongly after Clark angled her wide at the eighth pole, eventually prevailing by a length over Top Notch Lady. Tasha's Delight wound up third, while Shelterfromastorm faded to finish seventh in the 11-horse field.

"She's very mature for a 2-year-old," said Clark, who teamed up with Arravale's trainer, Mac Benson, to win a division of the 1984 Natalma with La Lorgnette.

Arravale, now unbeaten in two starts, covered the one-mile distance in 1:35.73, and banked $103,680 for owner Robert Costigan.