European filly Serious Attitude surprises at 23-1 in Nearctic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — European shipper Serious Attitude whipped the boys in Saturday’s $508,800 Nearctic Stakes, the first of three Grade 1 turf stakes on Canadian International Day at Woodbine.

Serious Attitude ($48.20), a 4-year-old filly, received a great ride from Garret Gomez, who saved ground on the turn, while having just one horse beaten.

Over a course labeled good, favored Bridgetown and Sneaking Uponyou dueled through fractions of 22.98 and 45.69 seconds, while Fatal Bullet tracked them on the outside in third. Grand Adventure saved ground throughout and went by the leaders early in the stretch, before being overtaken at the eighth pole by Serious Attitude, who drew off for a 2 ½-length score, in a time of 1:09.37.

Fatal Bullet edged out Field Commission and Bridgetown for third in the 12-horse field.

“She hopped away okay,” said Gomez. “I shuffled my way in there, and saved some ground. She always traveled beautifully. When we turned for home, I was eyeing a hole, and I had to hit it pretty quickly. She switched leads, and hit the hole, and continued on about her business, and ran like a real racehorse.”

Serious Attitude banked $300,000 for the partnership of Derek Willis and trainer Rae Guest, who have entered her in the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

The Nearctic is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race, but Guest said that she is not being considered for the BC Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.