Holy Helena, Grizzel face males in Ontario Derby

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Holy Helena and Grizzel, two of the leaders in the Canadian 3-year-old filly division, could settle the division title on the track in Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Ontario Derby over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.

The two fillies will take on seven 3-year-old colts and geldings in the Ontario Derby. Facing males is nothing new for Holy Helena, who won the Queen’s Plate against the boys in July. Holy Helena has made only two starts in Canada this season, and a start in the Ontario Derby would make her eligible for the Sovereign Awards.

“That’s why we did it,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. “We all got together about three weeks ago and decided, ‘Let’s just get her back up to Canada and see what she can get done and see if she can get the honors.’ ”

This year, Holy Helena became the seventh filly to complete the Woodbine Oaks-Queen’s Plate double. Following the Queen’s Plate, she faded to eighth in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes on dirt Aug. 19 at Saratoga.

“It was disappointing, of course,” Jerkens said. “She might have been a little closer to the pace than we thought she should have been, but she got beat a long ways. She was going kind of quick between horses, and I thought it was not like her style. She kind of backed out of there.”

:: Get bonus PPs for Sunday's Canadian International card at Woodbine

Key Contenders

Holy Helena, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 77-97-95

◗ Holy Helena returned to Woodbine early for the Ontario Derby, breezing five furlongs over the track in 1:02.00 on Monday following four breezes at Belmont Park.

Grizzel, by Kodiac
Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-83

◗ Grizzel’s last three races were on turf, but she won on the Tapeta in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes with an 86 Beyer Speed Figure on May 21.

Tiz a Slam, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 78-56-91

◗ He finished second in the Queen’s Plate and returns to Tapeta after a start on dirt in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie and a start on turf in the Centaur Stakes at Indiana Grand.

Cool Catomine, by Spring At Last
Last 3 Beyers: 65-80-80

◗ Since adding blinkers for his maiden win July 2, the Prince of Wales Stakes winner has won two of three races and will cut back in distance following a 10th-place run in the Breeders’ Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf Aug. 20.