Fraulein upsets paceless E.P. Taylor Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fraulein, under a canny ride by Kevin Darley, held on gamely for a one-length score in the $837,750 at Woodbine Sunday.

Sent off as the 11-1 fifth choice in a field of six fillies and mares, Fraulein keyed a 1-2 sweep by English-based 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1, 1 1/4-mile turf race.

Alasha, the 3-1 second-choice under John Murtagh, finished second, with even-money favorite Volga another length back in third.

The E.P. Taylor, run over a course rated "yielding", had shaped up as a paceless affair but it was nonetheless astonishing to watch Nadia show the way through snail-like fractions of :29.70 and :57.93 while Fraulein stayed within striking distance in fourth place on the inside.

Heading into the far turn Darley moved Fraulein through on the hedge and she led by a head through six furlongs in 1:23.33, then outdueled Nadia before fending off the charging Alasha under strong left-handed urging

"We literally were walking out there," said Darley. "When I saw the gap on the inside, she just sort of quickened to get there."

The pace picked up considerably at that point, with the next quarter going in :23.28 and the closing quarter clocked in :23.42. The final time was 2:10.03, more than nine seconds off the course record.

"Obviously, she stayed," said Darley. "She picked up and found another gear when it mattered."

Choc Ice, last year's Taylor winner, rallied mildly to finish fourth with Nadia and Inish Glora rounding out the order of finish.

Owned by Cliveden Stud and saddled here by assistant trainer Peter Boothman, Frauelin earned $502,650 to bring her career bankroll to $599,987.

The winner returned $24.40, with the exactor coming back at $112.60 and the triactor at $260.30.