Il Malocchio gets up in time to win Bison City Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Il Malocchio edged out Emmeline to post a 9-2 upset in Saturday’s $250,000 Bison City Stakes at Woodbine, leaving 2-5 favorite Miss Speedy back in fourth in the middle leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara.
In her stakes debut, the unbeaten Miss Speedy set rapid fractions in the 1 1/16-mile route for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies. The talented maiden Emmeline stalked in second, and Il Malocchio raced about five lengths off the lead in fourth on the outside along the backstretch.
Il Malocchio and Emmeline both overtook a tiring Miss Speedy early in the stretch, and Il Malocchio wore down Emmeline late to prevail by a half-length in 1:43.42. Cielo d’Oro overhauled Miss Speedy in deep stretch for third in the six-horse field.
Patrick Husbands rode Il Malocchio for trainer Marty Drexler. In her previous race in the Woodbine Oaks, her bid fell of nose short of Emmeline, who wound up second behind Munnyfor Ro.
“She ran big today,” Husbands said. “Last time, she tricked me by the quarter pole. I thought we had the race won, and she paused for about three strides. So today, before I swung for home, I made sure I had her in gear by the quarte pole.”
A daughter of Souper Speedy, Il Malocchio ($11.50) earned $150,000 for owner-breeder Frank Meli.