Glitter Rox in an upset at Woodbine

Glitter Rox, the 15-1 outsider in a five-horse field, closed strongly along the inside to capture the Grade 3, $183,000 Royal North Stakes at Woodbine.

Canadian Ballet and Dancing Allstar dueled on the lead in the six-furlong turf sprint through splits of 22.67 and 45.11 seconds. Glitter Rox raced six lengths off the pace in fourth on the turn, and she began to make up ground on the leaders in midstretch before getting home on top by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 1:09.03. Canadian Ballet finished second by a neck over Mommie Whiz, who nosed out favored Saskawea for third.

Jockey Gerry Olguin rode Glitter Rox for trainer Ian Black.

"The race set up nicely," said Olguin. "When I asked her to run, she kicked in beautifully. We were just hoping to get her [graded] stakes placed."

Glitter Rox ($32.60) banked $120,000 for owners Ellie Boje Farm and partners.