Indian Apple Is rallies to win Ontario Fashion

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Indian Apple Is ($10.90) benefited from a hot pace and got up in the final strides to take the $185,000 Ontario Fashion Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine.

American shipper Waccamaw set uncontested fractions of 21.62 seconds and 44.36, while Indian Apple Is raced in midpack under Chantal Sutherland. Indian Apple Is closed widest in the stretch and prevailed by a half-length, in a time of 1:09.76 for the six furlongs.

Shukriya finished another neck back in third, and the surprising favorite, Qeyaada, trailed the 10-horse field of fillies and mares.

Indian Apple Is earned $120,000 for owner Frank DiGiulio Jr. and trainer Bob Tiller.

“I thought it might not be far enough for her,” Tiller said. “Chantal got the pace and she rode the perfect race. Everything went perfect.”

The Tiller-trained Woodbourne lost Sunday’s supporting feature, the $103,400 Labeeb Stakes, by a head to 22-1 outsider Safety Zone.

Over a turf course labeled yielding, Safety Zone came wide from well back under Gerry Olguin to win the one-mile event in 1:38.26. Safety Zone banked $60,000 in his first start off the $40,000 claim by Melnyk Racing Stable and trainer Mark Casse.