Hazelbrook's patience pays off in Ontario Fashion

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hazelbrook ($3.10) got the job done as the heavy favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Fashion at Woodbine, under a patient ride from Jason Hoyte.

Marie MacKay set fast, wind-aided fractions in the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. Hazelbrook took up the chase along the rail, with Beat the System to her outside in second.

Hazelbrook awaited room on the turn and the rail opened up for her in the stretch when Marie MacKay angled into the two-path. Beyond Mybudget made a wide bid in the lane before Hazelbrook outfooted her in the final furlong to prevail by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 1:08.38.

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Imagery rallied for third and was followed by Marie MacKay, Beat the System and Moqadama.

“I was trying to get to the outside, but it didn’t work today, so I bided my time,” Hoyte said. “She ran her heart out. She ran a tremendous race. She was really nice down in there - comfortable, so I didn’t panic. I just rode a smart and good race.”

Trained by Lorne Richards, Hazelbrook earned $90,000 of the $156,000 purse for True North Stable. The 4-year-old daughter of Bayern has won four of five starts this year, including three stakes, and is a leading contender for Canadian champion female sprinter honors this year.

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