Leigh Court wires rivals as heavy Whimsical favorite

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—The favored Kentucky shipper Leigh Court led all the way under Florent Geroux in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.

Leigh Court set moderate fractions of 22.48 and 45.25 seconds while being pressed by Green Doctor in the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. She drew clear entering the stretch and went on to prevail by two lengths over Galina Point, who edged out Skylander Girl for third.

The final time of 1:08.88 was .72 of a second off Woodbine’s synthetic track record.

“She broke very alertly, and I was able to make the lead very nicely and comfortably,” said Geroux. “She’s very tough when she can be on the lead like this and relax. She gave me a nice turn of foot at the quarter pole.”

Leigh Court ($3.30), Canada’s champion 3-year-old filly in 2013, banked $90,000 of the $161,400 purse for Speedway Stable and trainer Mike Stidham.

There was no show wagering on the six-horse race.