Ginger Brew responds when asked

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Ginger Brew overcame some bumping early in the stretch before pulling away for an easy victory in Sunday's $502,800 Woodbine Oaks.

Ginger Brew ($3.20) bided her time in 10th on the first turn of the nine-furlong race for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies, and then made up ground on the backstretch under Javier Castellano.

Ginger Brew loomed into contention on the far turn, and then came between two Josie Carroll-trained runners, Authenicat and Victory Romance, at the eighth pole en route to a six-length win. Victory Romance outran Authenicat for second. The pacesetter, Gloriously, faded to ninth in the 12-horse field after setting fractions of 23.99 and 48.00 seconds.

Emile Ramsammy, aboard Victory Romance, claimed foul on Ginger Brew for interference in the stretch, but the result stood.

"She's a special filly," said Castellano. "You can do what you want with her. I rode her with a lot of confidence, and it worked out good. She settled perfectly, and she kicked in very strongly at the end. She improved a lot today."

Ginger Brew covered the distance in 1:51.40, and banked $300,000 for Stronach Stable. Trained by Brian Lynch, she appears to have a serious shot at capturing the Canadian triple tiara, a series for 3-year-old fillies that also includes the June 29 Bison City Stakes on Polytrack, and July 26 Wonder Where Stakes on turf.

"Being a Canadian-bred, this is the race we had picked out for her all year," said Lynch. "She rose to the occasion."

Alywow: Passion much the best

New York invader Passion ($5.30) blew away the field in the $102,800 Alywow Stakes, winning the 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint in a quick 1:14.39 under Castellano.

After being steadied heading into the turn, Passion stalked a speed duel and then took control in midstretch before drawing away for a 5 1/4-length tally over Lickety Lemon. Clear the Ice finished third in the 12-horse field of 3-year-old fillies.

"She broke a little slow, but I didn't want to rush her," said Castellano. "I sat behind the [leaders], and she responded very well."

Passion, trained by Todd Pletcher, earned $60,000 for the partnership of Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Derrick Smith.

Victoria Park: Secret Getaway gets up

Secret Getaway ($17.60), based at Arlington with trainer Michael Stidham, mowed down front-running Catch Air in deep stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length the $150,400 Victoria Park for 3-year-olds. Emma Wilson rode Secret Getaway, who completing nine furlongs in 1:51.11.

Discreet Commander was third, and the even-money favorite, Bonanza, wound up fourth in the six-horse field.