Bullet fires down the lane to take My Dear Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The promising Bullet won the $130,500 My Dear Stakes with ease at Woodbine Saturday under a confident ride from Patrick Husbands.

Bullet ($3.10) tracked the leaders from a three-wide position on the backstretch in the 5 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies. On the turn, she took dead aim at Carlisle Bay, who had opened up a clear lead, before drawing off in the lane to prevail by 4 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:04.85.

Soupergirl rallied outside to catch Carlisle Bay for second. Ambitious Lass closed for fourth and was followed by Obliging, Bound to Be True, Willow Oak, Lithica, and You Need Me.

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Bullet won her debut in the May 11 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes on the Gulfstream grass and had since worked regularly here on the Tapeta for trainer Mark Casse.

“This is about the fourth time I’ve gotten on her – she’s all class,” Husbands said. “She’s legit fast. She can go to the lead [or close]. She can do anything.”

Bullet banked $75,000 for D.J. Stable, which paid $425,000 for the daughter of War Front at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Pleasure’s Gold takes Ballade

Pleasure’s Gold ($10.90) captured Saturday’s other Woodbine stakes, the $100,000 Ballade for Ontario-sired fillies and mares. She was the third of four winners on the card for jockey Rafael Hernandez.

Foolish Games and Indian Music stage a suicidal speed duel in the six-furlong sprint before favored Lantana Lady blew by them early in the stretch. Pleasure’s Gold rallied from near the back of the eight-horse field to score by 1 1/4 lengths over Talk to Ya Later, as Lantana Lady faded to third. The final time was 1:10.31.

Pleasure’s Gold earned $60,000 for owner/breeders Elizabeth and Gordon Lickrish. Tino Attard trains the 5-year-old daughter of red-hot sire Souper Speedy.

Last year’s Ballade winner, morning line favorite Miss Speedy, was an early scratch.

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