Cool Shadows successfully stretches out in Princess Elizabeth Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Cool Shadows ($29.70) gave Chiefswood Stable and trainer Stuart Simon their second straight win in the $225,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Cool Shadows had just the 2-5 favorite, Curlin’s Voyage, beaten as they went down the backstretch, while She’s a Dream set an honest pace in the 1 1/16-mile test for 2-year-old fillies.

Curlin’s Voyage made up some ground on the backstretch, and then made a four-wide bid on the far turn, with Cool Shadows chasing her. Merveilleux and Avie’s Samurai vied for the lead in the stretch, before Cool Shadows came down the center of the track to prevail by a neck in a time of 1:45.45.

Merveilleux edged out Avie’s Samurai for second, and Curlin’s Voyage finished a distant fourth in the seven-horse field of Canadian-breds.

Jerome Lermyte rode Cool Shadows, a daughter of Munnings, who was making her first start on the Tapeta in her first race past 6 1/2 furlongs.

“We had an idea that she would enjoy the distance,” Lermyte said. “She proved it today. She relaxed behind, and she gave a very nice finish.”

The same connections won last year’s Princess Elizabeth with Bold Script, who was eventually crowned Canadian champion 2-year-old filly.

“She’s just been a really improving filly,” Simon said. “She’s done everything we’ve asked of her. Most likely, she’ll go down south and regroup, and hopefully we’ll have her back in the spring for the [Woodbine] Oaks trail.”