Hernandez scores stakes double with Victoria, My Dear triumphs

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jockey Rafael Hernandez swept both 2-year-old stakes on a sweltering Saturday at Woodbine, taking the $140,000 Victoria on Casson and the $128,250 My Dear for fillies aboard Border Czar.

After breaking from the outside post 5, Casson ($9.20) tracked the early leaders before assuming command on the turn in the Victoria. He drew clear in the stretch to prevail by 2 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:04.31 seconds for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

Favored Jupiter came from fifth to beat Rude Procedure for second to give trainer Mark Casse a sweep of the top three positions in a race that he’s won seven times. Fistfulofmoney and Valley of Kings completed the order finish.

“He broke a little slow,” Hernandez said. “He was outside, so he broke a little bit out, and when I tapped him in the shoulder, he started picking up. So, I let him cruise. My horse was just kind of waiting for me to start moving there to give me a second gear. I had total confidence.”

The Ontario-bred Casson earned $90,000 for owners Manfred and Penny Conrad, who bought the son of Caravaggio out of the Keeneland September yearling sale for $200,000.

*** Border Czar ($15.40) came from fourth in the 5 1/2-furlong My Dear to score by 2 3/4 lengths, in a time much slower than the Victoria - 1:05.77 seconds.

First-time starter Abdul missed the break before closing furiously from a trailing ninth for second. Pageant Queen rallied inside for third and was followed by Pina Colada, Sapphire Beach, the favored pacesetter Thank You Amy, Armored Guard, Souper Sporty, and Souper Diva.

A daughter of freshman sire Beau Liam, Border Czar was a $25,000 Fasig-Tipton yearling purchase by owner-trainer Barbara Minshall, who pocketed $75,000 for winning the My Dear for the second time.

“She’s a pretty sharp little filly,” Minshall said. “She loves to train. I noticed she was a little sharp going to the post, but she’s all business. Raffie worked her a couple times and got to know her better. He knew she’d come running.”

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