El Prado Essence takes Seaway

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored El Prado Essence held off a closing Hattiesburg to prevail by a nose in Sunday's $136,500 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine.

Feathers and Elektraline dueled through fractions of :22.61 seconds and :45.75 in the 6 1/2-furlong contest. El Prado Essence stalked the leaders on the backstretch, and made a three-wide bid on the turn under Todd Kabel. She hit the front at the head of the stretch, opened up a clear lead at the eighth pole, and held Hattiesburg at bay to stop the timer in 1:24.48 seconds.

"We had a golden trip," said Kabel. "The only (problem) was that she has a tendency to hang once she opens up, and when took me to the lead a little early, that's exactly what she did."

Feathers finished 6 3/4 lengths back in third in the five-horse field of fillies and mares. Quick Blue and Extend were scratched.

El Prado Essence ($4.20) earned $81,900 for trainer Audre Cappuccitti, who owns her in partnership with Gordon Cappuccitti.

* Added Edge ($2.50) remained unbeaten in two starts by posting an easy 8 1/4-length victory in Sunday's supporting feature, the $107,000 Silver Deputy Stakes for 2-year-olds.

Mark Casse trains Added Edge, who covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:19.39 under Patrick Husbands. A son of Smart Strike, Added Edge earned $64,200 for owners Team Valor and Robert Wilson.