Curlin's Voyage comes into Mazarine with benefit of a two-turn win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Curlin’s Voyage has a two-turn win under her girth, which should give her an edge in Saturday’s $125,000 Mazarine Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Curlin’s Voyage was a slow-starting second against the boys in her July 7 debut in the 5 1/2-furlong Victoria Stakes. Three weeks later, she checked in third behind the speedy Owlette in the 5 1/2-furlong Shady Well Stakes for Ontario-bred fillies.

After getting away slowly most recently, Curlin’s Voyage won a mile and 70-yard maiden special easily as the heavy favorite. Eurico Da Silva was aboard for all three of her races and rides her on Saturday.

“She’s a very talented filly,” Da Silva said. “She loves the two turns. She’s only getting better and better. The distance was bothering her [in her first two races]. She’s such a big horse. You use her, and she loses her balance a little bit. With the longer distance, it’s different. She has time to get herself together, and goes from there.”

Curlin’s Voyage breezed five-eighths in a quick 59.20 seconds over Tapeta on Sept. 27.

“The exercise rider worked her and told me she worked amazing,” said Da Silva, who has captured the Mazarine three times.

The Grade 3 Mazarine attracted five others, and has been carded as the eighth of 10 races.

KEY CONTENDERS

Curlin’s Voyage, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 66-73-71

◗ She’s out of a half-sister to graded stakes winners My Best Brother and Gala Award.

◗ Her trainer, Josie Carroll, has won the Mazarine twice, most recently with Gamble’s Ghost in 2015.

Skygaze, by American Pharoah

Beyers: 79-41

◗ The best of the three Mark Casse-trained entrants, she won second time out by seven lengths after setting a slow pace in a seven-furlong maiden special.

◗ The $300,000 yearling purchase is a half-sister to the Grade 2-winning turf router Sky Cape.

Roman d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro

Beyers: 67-57

◗ She graduated at second asking in a six-furlong maiden special for Casse, who has won the Mazarine seven times, including with another daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, the future Canadian champion Wonder Gadot.

◗ Rafael Hernandez will ride her for the first time.

Special Honor, by Honor Code

Beyers: 63-63

◗ Casse supplemented her for $2,500 off a closing second in a mile and 70-yard maiden special last Saturday, during which she drifted out while exiting the far turn.

Take Charge Eh, by Will Take Charge

Last 3 Beyers: 31-74-65

◗ Off a failed turf experiment in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes, she’s stretching out with a run-on pedigree.

Glorious Gizmo, by Giant Gizmo

Beyers: 62-43

◗ Following a second-out maiden score in a sprint for Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens, she was supplemented by trainer Denyse McClachrie.

◗ She possesses the pedigree of a miler.