Full Count Felicia's early lead holds up in E.P. Taylor

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Saturday’s Grade 1 E.P. Taylor was billed as a showdown between Canadian Horses of the Year Moira and Fev Rover, but it was Full Count Felicia who literally stole the show in the 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares.

With Kazushi Kimura aboard, Full Count Felicia darted out to a clear early lead and opened up about a 20-length advantage on the backstretch. Her lead diminished throughout the stretch, but she held on comfortably to win by 3 1/2 lengths over her favored stablemate, Moira, in a time of 1:59.29 over the firm turf.

Fev Rover finished another 2 1/2 lengths back in third and was followed by Blush and Blue Rose Cen. Cinderella’s Dream was scratched.

Kimura, a three-time leading rider at Woodbine, said he was inclined to let the daughter of War Front roll rather than fight her into rating.

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“I tried to let her (go at) her own pace,” Kimura explained. “It worked out well.”

Trained by Kevin Attard, Full Count Felicia paid $17.60 and earned $450,000 of the $780,000 purse.

“I thought Full Count Felicia and Fev Rover might duke it out a little early,” Attard said. “I wasn’t anticipating that. I saw the first quarter in :25 and change and thought it was okay. She set an honest pace, I thought, and I looked around at the three-eighths and she had an insurmountable lead. She’s just improving - getting better with each start.”

Full Count Felicia became one of the leading candidates for Canadian Horse of the Year honors with the victory, her second straight graded win at Woodbine for owner Gold Square. Attard was noncommittal about running her back against Moira in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar.

“I’m going to leave that (decision) to the guys who sign the checks,” Attard said. “They sent her here for me to do a job. We’re going to enjoy this Grade 1. It’s very important for her as a broodmare.”

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