Kin's Concerto edges Caitlinhergrtness in Woodbine Oaks

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There was lots of girl power on display in Saturday’s $503,000 Woodbine Oaks when Kin’s Concerto prevailed in a determined performance under hot young apprentice Sofia Vives for trainer Josie Carroll.

Kin’s Concerto assumed an early stalking position along the inside in the 69th running of the nine-furlong event for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies. Lookin to Conquer, who was among the longest shots in the 14-horse field, set a fast pace while being pressed by Lunch With Bernie, as 3-1 favorite Caitlinhergrtness tracked in third on the outside.

Caitlinhergrtness challenged for the lead on the far turn and then took control in the stretch before Kin’s Concerto ($11.50) mowed her down in the final strides to prevail by a neck, in a time of 1:51.18.

Hurricane Clair rallied for third and A Little Frisky faded to fourth after making a threatening bid entering the stretch. Lunch With Bernie, War Painter, My Girl Della, Vucchella, Ba Dee Yah, Shamans Girl, Lookin to Conquer, Inudation, Holiday in Jail and Bravo Kate completed the order of finish.

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Vives was riding without her apprentice allowance after winning the previous race on the card, the Grade 2 Connaught Cup, on Cruden Bay. Kin’s Concerto won her maiden disqualification at 2 and the Oaks was the first time she crossed the wire on top.

“It’s pretty exciting for this to happen in your lifetime, but to happen as a bug, I think it’s pretty special,” Vives said. “She’s a very talented filly. We knew the speed was going to go. She made it to the rail. It was the easiest way around. At the three-eighths pole, I was able to drift into the two-path and followed a really nice horse. The holes all opened up and she was game to take all of them. Today, I promised myself that this was going to be the first day she got her win picture, and she did just that.”

Kin’s Concerto was the third Oaks winner for Carroll and the second for owner-breeder Chiefswood Stables. The daughter of Mendelssohn earned $300,000 and could go on to contest the $1 million King’s Plate here on Aug. 18, a race for Canadian-breds in which fillies have had considerable success.

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