Lewinski headlines inaugural Horseshoe
FORT ERIE, Ontario - Lewinski will likely be favored in Tuesday's first running of the $50,000 Golden Horseshoe. One of Fort Erie's seven new stakes this year, the event is restricted to fillies and mares, 3 years old and upward. Ten runners are scheduled to compete over seven furlongs on grass.
Lewinski was the beaten favorite in last month's 12-horse, 1 1/16-mile Border Cup. After circling the field, the 5-year-old Lewinski finished second, three-quarters of a length behind Katsumi. Turning back to seven furlongs should be no problem, as Lewinski has already scored a turf win at five furlongs this summer. With $117,662 earned on the grass, Lewinski is far ahead of any of her race competitors in that category. Next in line is the 7-year-old Just Elated with $77,164.
Trainer Daniel Wills appears to have a strong hand in the race. He will saddle both Flying Tabriz and Perfectlydelicious. Flying Tabriz, 4, left the maiden ranks June 24 with a come-from-behind victory at five furlongs over the turf. After finishing fourth in a turf allowance July 3, the filly returned 18 days later to win a turf allowance race at Tuesday's distance, leading throughout.
Perfectlydelicious will be making her first start since she finished a closing second in the six-furlong Center Anne Stakes on dirt. The 5-year-old Perfectlydelicious had won the 1 1/16-mile Border Cup last year and was expected to try and repeat the feat July 22, but she wasn't entered.
"We decided to wait another three weeks and go seven-eighths of a mile instead," said Wills, who had posted 13 wins coming into the weekend. Wills said that the owner of Perfectlydelicious, September 36 Stables, "decided it would be better." Wills lost a squeaker on Tuesday when his Orientalspringhope lost a photo finish to Prospective Gal in the Lauries Dancer Stakes.
Proudly Loudly, who finished fourth in the Border Cup, should attract backers. The mare reached the lead in midstretch after a stalking trip before faltering. Shipping down from Woodbine is Everything, who finished third in the Center Anne Stakes as the heavy favorite.
Completing the field are Cultural Shock, Love Shy, Found Treasure, and Guysmarlene. Bonita Bay is on the also-eligible list.