Ginger Brew wins Belle Mahone

Ginger Brew, last year's Woodbine Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly in Canada, turned back two challenges in her determined score in Saturday's $110,300 Belle Mahone Stakes at Woodbine.

Ginger Brew ($5.30) went right to the front in the 1 1/16-mile race, and set slow fractions while being pressed by Smart Surprise, the even-money favorite.

Ginger Brew began to draw away from Smart Surprise early in the stretch, and then held off a closing Simply Splendid to prevail by a half-length, in a time of 1:43.55. Smart Surprise faded to finish another six lengths back in third in the six-horse field of fillies and mares.

Todd Kabel rode Ginger Brew, who banked $69,000 for Stronach Stable and trainer Brian Lynch.

"Brian said he had a lot of confidence in her today," said Kabel. "Nobody wanted the lead. She was there, and I wasn't going to take her back. She was on her game."

Ontario Debutante: Franny Freud holds on

Saratoga shipper Franny Freud ($6.10) held off 17-1 shot Negligee in the stretch to notch her first stakes in the $156,700 Ontario Debutante.

Rhythm of the Sea led the way in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies, setting fractions of 22.31 and 45.36 seconds, with Franny Freud and favored Maritime Passion in close pursuit.

Franny Freud hit the front exiting the turn, and went on to prevail by a half-length over the wide-stalking Negligee. Maritime Passion faded, but she nosed out Biofuel for third in the eight-horse field. The final time was 1:10.29.

Patrick Husbands rode Franny Freud for trainer John Terranova, who sent her out to finish second in the My Dear Stakes here June 28. She banked $90,000 for owners Paul Pompa Jr., Stephen Yarborough and Anthony Grey.