Bear Paw noses Classy 'N Smart Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Bear Paw clawed her way between rivals in the stretch to prevail in a blanket finish in Sunday’s $100,000 Classy ‘N Smart Stakes at Woodbine.

Niigon’s Legacy, the 5-2 favorite, set fast fractions on a long lead in the 1 1/16 miles for Ontario-sired females, as Bear Paw trailed some 10 lengths on the backstretch.

Bear Paw began to close the gap on the far turn, and then sought room entering the stretch before closing to nail 16-1 shot Stormy Summer on the wire. Trini Brewnette, Sparkles’ Girl, Crumlin Queen, Niigon’s Bay, and Niigon’s Legacy completed the order of finish.

The final time was 1:43.77, and Bear Paw returned $12.

Luis Contreras rode Bear Paw for trainer Ashlee Brnjas, the combination that won the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf twice with Johnny Bear.

“I like the way the race set up,” Contreras said. “It was just a perfect trip. This filly likes to be covered between horses. That’s the best way she runs. If I hit the lead early, she starts looking around. I just waited to make a big move at the end.”

By Bear’s Kid, Bear Paw earned $60,000 in her first stakes tally for Colebrook Farms and Bear Stables, the owners of Johnny Bear.