Duchess Stakes return spot for Win the War

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Win the War made a strong impression in two starts as a 2-year-old last season at Woodbine, winning a maiden race on turf and the Glorious Song Stakes by 11 1/4 lengths on Tapeta. She hasn’t raced since finishing third in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita in January, but is on track to make her return to the races Aug. 11 in the $100,000 Duchess Stakes over seven furlongs on Tapeta, trainer Mark Casse said.

“She’s been training really well,” he said. “We’re really excited to get her started.”

Casse said Win the War emerged from the Santa Ynez with an ankle injury.

“I kind of wondered late in the race,” he said. “She kind of had her head up in the air and didn’t finish as well as I thought she would. She hurt her ankle and it required surgery, so she’s been off for some time.”

Casse said returning at Woodbine made a lot of sense following Win the War’s success here, especially in the Glorious Song.

“When I was looking for where I wanted to bring her back, I thought why not bring her back at Woodbine?” he said. “That’s where we started her career and she’s done well. Hopefully, she’ll run good and then we’ll look for other places, but I just thought it was a good spot.”