Flipcup comes on strong late to win Maple Leaf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Flipcup overhauled the leading favorite Academic in deep stretch to take the $158,200 Maple Leaf Stakes under Luis Contreras at Woodbine on Saturday.

Flipcup ($16.90) saved ground about six lengths back in eighth on the backstretch as Academic set honest fractions in the 10-furlong test for fillies and mares. Flipcup began to mount a wide rally nearing the quarter pole and blew by Academic at the sixteenth pole en route to a two-length tally in 2:03.42.

Dido finished third, and Finn’s Jewel was fourth in a field reduced to nine with the scratch of Eastern Atlantic.

“She ran really good,” said Contreras. “She relaxed right away. I tried to save some ground and get into a position to make my move.”

Flipcup, a New-York-bred 4-year-old trained by Bill Mott, earned $90,000 for the partnership of Team Penney Racing, Wachtel Stable, and Brous Stable.

Flipcup completed a rare double by winning the restricted Classy ‘N Smart Stakes here last month and the Grade 3 Maple Leaf, a feat which was accomplished just twice before – by Moonlit Beauty in 2013 and No Foul Play in 1998.