Last Call notches first career win in Natalma; BC Juvenile Fillies Turf likely next

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Longshot Last Call graduated in style under Rafael Hernandez in Saturday’s Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine, while earning a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November.

Last Call rallied from seventh in the eight-horse field to hit the front in mid-stretch en route to a one-length score over the troubled favorite Cairo Consort.

The shipper G Laurie finished another three-quarters of a length back in third in the eight-horse field of 2-year-old fillies. She was followed by Wickenheiser, Adora, Collecting Flatter, Courtly Ro, and Star Candy.

Over firm turf, the final time was 1:36.49 for the one-turn mile, earning Last Call a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

A daughter of English Channel, Last Call ($44.30) earned $300,000 for the partnership of X-Men Racing and SF Racing.

Trainer Kevin Attard said the Breeders’ Cup is a strong possibility for Last Call, who was slow to come around. He removed the blinkers after she finished second and fourth in her first two starts with them on.

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“She’s progressed with time, kept continuing to get better,” Attard said. “We put the blinkers on early, because she just wasn’t showing a whole lot in the beginning. And then the light bulb clicked in, and she just started working more impressive each time.

“We were obviously disappointed with her last start, but we thought she was a little rank, so we took the blinkers off. I think with a couple of races under her belt, and her pedigree leans more towards distance, she put it all together today.”

* The 12th and final race on the card was canceled due to a medical issue with the track veterinarian.