Full of Wonder wins Niagara

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Full of Wonder notched his first stakes under Todd Kabel Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 1, $324,400 .

"He ran a very powerful race," said Kabel. "It seems like the farther he goes, the better it is for him."

Full of Wonder trailed the nine-horse field early in the 1 1/2-mile turf race, as Stage Classic led while being pressed by Attest, Sumati and Moontazz.

Perfect Soul, the more fancied half of the favored entry with Muntej, loomed into contention on the far turn, as Full of Wonder was in the midst of his wide rally. Perfect Soul hit the front at the top of the stretch, but was collared at the eighth pole by Full of Wonder, who edged away to win by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 2:26.18 seconds. Muntej finished third.

Full of Wonder ($5.30) earned $201,240. He was coupled in the Mark Frostad-trained, Sam-Son Farm entry with his full brother, Strike Smartly, who finished fourth.

* Saffron Dancer ($16.60) closed from third to capture Saturday's supporting feature for fillies and mares, the $107,000 Flaming Page Stakes.

Libretto set all the fractions in the 1 1/2-mile turf event, and finished second, while favored Catch the Ring rallied to be third. The final time was 2:27.17 seconds.

There was a stewards' inquiry after the race, regarding whether or not Saffron Dancer carried the assigned weight from the paddock to the gate, but the order of finish was unchanged.

Slade Callaghan rode Saffron Dancer for trainer Mike Doyle.