Cactus Kris rallies to victory in Ontario Fashion

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The sharp shipper Cactus Kris ($12.20) closed stoutly from last under Huber Villa-Gomez to collar Endless Light late and take the Grade 3, $154,800 Ontario Fashion Stakes on the Canadian International undercard at Woodbine.

The favored Endless Light stalked the pacemaker Tahnee in second through the turn of the six-furlong sprint through fractions of 22.40 seconds and 45.53. Endless Light took control approaching the eighth pole as Cactus Kris was in the midst of her wide rally, and Cactus Kris got up to prevail by a neck in 1:10.06.

Scotty’s Model edged out Skylander Girl for third in the eight-horse field of fillies and mares.

Cactus Kris, who has been based at Presque Isle Downs with trainer Ryan Walsh, is a regular visitor to Woodbine. She won last year’s Ruling Angel Stakes here under Villa-Gomez.

“She loves it here,” said Walsh, who trains her for his mother, Anne Walsh. “[Villa-Gomez] has told me many times that this is her favorite track. We keep her on the synthetic and grass. She seems to really like it. I was hoping that was the way she’d run. She was coming off a distance race, and I knew stamina would be on her side. If she could get close, she could get it done. She’s a neat horse.”