Lexie Lou challenges elders in Canadian Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Queen’s Plate winner Lexie Lou will get her sternest test to date on Sunday’s Woodbine Mile undercard, when she meets older opposition in the $300,000 Canadian Stakes.
Lexie Lou is riding a lucrative three-race winning streak, having taken the Woodbine Oaks, the $1 million Plate, and the Wonder Where Stakes. After Lexie Lou breezed five-eighths in 1:00.40 last Sunday, trainer Mark Casse said the 3-year-old filly has continued to flourish.
“She worked super,” Casse said. “She wasn’t supposed to go that fast, but she did it with ease. Every time I see her, she looks bigger and stronger. Every now and then, you get a horse who thrives with racing, and she does.”
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The Grade 2 Canadian, scheduled for about nine furlongs on grass, is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event in which the winner gets a fees-paid berth to the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita.
Canadian Stakes (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Lexie Lou (Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-92)
◗ The Wonder Where was her first grass start, and she passed with flying colors, albeit against Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.
“I thought her turf race was good, but [the opposition] was suspect,” Casse said. “She’ll get tested on Sunday. Her numbers are as good, if not better, than anybody.”
La Tia (Last 3 Beyers: 93-95-77)
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◗ The speedy Arlington invader won the Grade 3 Ontario Matron by six lengths here July 26 and was a prominent fourth in last year’s Canadian.
◗ Trainer Armando De la cerda said La Tia wasn’t allowed to establish an uncontested lead in last year’s Canadian, which led to her undoing. “She has to be [clearly] in front,” he said.
Solid Appeal (Last 3 Beyers: 93-94-89)
◗ Last year’s Canadian champion female turf runner won the Grade 2 Nassau here in May and was a troubled fifth in the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 19.
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Deceptive Vision (Last 3 Beyers: 92-91-94)
◗ She showed surprising speed in her last two outings, a third-place finish in the Nassau and a nose loss in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly on July 6.
“We’ve been spending time trying to get her to settle a bit,” said trainer Malcolm Pierce. “She was a little aggressive in her last two starts, which is really not the style we’re looking for.”
Savvy Hester (Last 3 Beyers: 85-92-86)
◗ She finished a close third in the Dance Smartly before ending up second after leading until late stretch in the 12-furlong Flaming Page Stakes on Aug. 23.
“Savvy is in good form right now,” said trainer Ricky Griffith. “The cutback in distance will definitely help and not hinder her.”