Cactus Kris relishes return to Polytrack in Ruling Angel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Cactus Kris overcame an awkward break and a wide trip to win her first stakes Saturday at Woodbine in the $108,800 Ruling Angel, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

Grandma’s House went right to the front and set honest fractions, with Executive Allure and Unspurned in close proximity.

Cactus Kris ($8.90) commenced a four-wide rally on the turn, and then collared Unspurned in deep stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length, in 1:16.69. Remebel finished third at 43-1, while the favored Hillhouse High was sixth in a field reduced to nine with the scratch of Fun in the Desert.

Huber Villa-Gomez rode Cactus Kris for owner Anne Walsh and trainer Ryan Walsh, who won with longshot Sweet Nkosi earlier in the afternoon at Keeneland.

Cactus Kris was second by a nose here in the July 20 Duchess Stakes, before ending up fourth in both the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen on grass and the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters.

“We lost a heartbreaker in July,” said Ryan Walsh. “Huber told me [then] of all the times he had ridden her, she really excelled on this Polytrack. So, we just shopped around for a similar spot.”