Lorena goes gate to wire in Ashbridges Bay Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Heavily favored Lorena didn’t disappoint her backers in a comfortable gate-to-wire score in Friday’s $100,000 Ashbridges Bay Stakes at Woodbine.
Lorena set a dawdling pace on a clear early lead with archrival Jilli Marie racing in second in the 1 1/16-mile event for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.
Jilli Marie took a run at Lorena heading into the far turn, but Lorena repelled the challenge in the stretch and went on to score by 3 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:46.61.
Jolene Jolene, at 16-1, rallied wide for second as Jilli Marie faded to third. Red Equinox and Practical Gizmo completed the order of finish.
Gary Boulanger rode the Souper Speedy filly Lorena, who notched her fourth restricted stakes for a partnership headed by trainer Stuart Simon.
“She’s always such a great gate horse,” Boulanger said. “The big thing with her was getting her to shut off and not to try to run through the bridle. She got the lead so easy, a half in 50, and it was just game over.”
Lorena paid $2.70 in a race with no show wagering.
Artie’s Storm wins Lake Ontario Stakes
Artie’s Storm notched his first stakes in Friday’s $100,000 Lake Ontario, beating the 2-5 favorite Secret Reserve by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.
With David Moran aboard, Secret Reserve broke on top and set a fast pace before being pressed by longshot Perfect Crime on the backstretch. Artie’s Storm saved ground in third before looming into contention on the far turn and then wore down Secret Reserve in the stretch to prevail in a time of 1:42.47.
Dragon’s Brew finished another eight lengths back in third. He was followed by Avoman and Perfect Crime.
“I had a great trip,” Moran said. “I was worried before the race that there might not be any pace. [Secret Reserve] broke pretty well, and it seemed like a sensible pace. My guy was very relaxed where he was. When I asked him, he kicked on and did the job. He was sitting on this win. All year long, he won a couple of nice races, and was second and third in some tough races.”
Artie’s Storm returned $8.20. The gelded son of We Miss Artie is trained by Paul Buttigieg for Buttigieg Training Centre.