Knights Templar takes Mazarine BC

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Knights Templar ($10.10) led throughout the $270,400 , taking the Grade 3 stakes for 2-year-old fillies by 13 1/4 lengths at Woodbine Saturday.

Knights Templar set fractions of 23.59 and 47.26 seconds, before opening up a five-length lead midway on the far turn of the mile and a sixteenth route. She drew off in the stretch, winning in a quick final time of 1:43.15.

"She ran brilliantly today," said Jim McAleney, who rode Knights Templar for trainer Danny Vella. "Danny gave me permission to go if nobody else wanted [the lead]. He said he just wanted her happy and comfortable the first part of it, and she was happy and comfortable the first part, the middle part, and the last part."

Knights Templar banked $168,900 for owners Clover IV Stable and Krista Seltzer.

Sudsy Baby rallied along the rail to edge Top Notch Lady by a head for second. Favored Arravale finished ninth in the 11-horse field.