Lookin to Strike holds off Curlin's Honor in Ontario Derby

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The Mark Casse trainees Lookin to Strike and Curlin’s Honor ran one-two in Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Derby, the first stakes on the Canadian International card at Woodbine.

Lookin to Strike ($10) pressed the leading Strike Me Down through moderate fractions in the nine-furlong route, while the favored Mr Ritz took up the chase in third.

Lookin to Strike assumed command in the stretch, and then held off a charging Curlin’s Honor to win by a neck, in a time of 1:49.30.

Mr Ritz wound up third after going wide in the stretch, and Strike Me Down faded to fourth in the six-horse field of 3-year-olds.

Assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan was thrilled with the ride Lookin to Strike got from Gary Boulanger.

“That was a great finish,” Sullivan said. “They both ran really well. Gary and I were talking in the paddock, and he’s so confident in this horse. He said he could do anything — go to the lead, or wait. You’ve got to love a horse like that. I thought he rode him really smart — really confidently.”

A son of classic winner Lookin At Lucky, Lookin to Strike earned $75,000 of the $126,750 purse for owner Gary Barber.