Harp N Halo by a neck in Avowal Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Saratoga invader Harp N Halo ($14.30) ran bravely on the lead to take the $104,000 Avowal Stakes at Woodbine on Monday.

Harp N Halo vied with Zensational Bunny and Silent Treat early in the seven-furlong turf sprint before she dueled with Silent Treat along the rail through the turn. The favored Saratoga shipper Stellar Path took dead aim at the leaders in the stretch, but she hung late as Harp N Halo dug in to prevail by a neck over Silent Treat in a time of 1:21.82 over the firm ground.

Stellar Path finished a half-length back in third. She was followed by Zensational Bunny and On the Backstreets. There was no show wagering.

Luis Contreras rode Harp N Halo, who was making her stakes debut for Curragh Stable and trainer John Terranova.

“My filly broke really sharp,” said Contreras. “I tried to stay a little behind the speed, but she was really game early. She was so comfortable and confident. It’s really nice to ride a filly like this. She was fighting down the stretch. She just wanted to win.”