Hembree rallies to take Nearctic Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Kentucky shipper Hembree rallied strongly under Irad Ortiz Jr. to catch the speed in the final strides in Saturday’s Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine.

Hembree ($20) raced about six lengths off the lead in seventh on the turn in the six-furlong turf sprint, while Yorkton set honest fractions, with the favored Lady Alexandra and Hemp Hemp Hurray in close proximity.

Ortiz angled Hembree wide for the drive, and they came storming home to prevail by a neck over Yorkton, in a time of 1:08.95 over the good ground. Hemp Hemp Hurray, who like Hembree, is trained by Mike Maker, lost the place photo by nose. Lady Alexandra faded to ninth in the 11-horse field.

Assistant trainer Nolan Ramsey said the Proud Citizen colt Hembree is all class.

“He does everything right,” Ramsey said. “It just makes my job easy. It was no surprise today. At the quarter pole, Hemp Hemp Hurray looked like the horse to beat, to me. Irad gave Hembree a great trip on the outside, and he closed strong. It was an exciting finish, and I was happy with the result.”

Hembree, who was exiting a second-level optional-claiming score at Kentucky Downs, earned $150,000 of the $268,700 purse for Three Diamonds Farm.