Miss Crissy best in Fanfreluche

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Miss Crissy rallied up the rail under Steven Bahen to take the $163,500 Fanfreluche Stakes by a half-length over Buffalo Jump at Woodbine Sunday.

Steven Bahen steadied Miss Crissy in behind the leaders early in the six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies, and put her into a stalking position on the turn. La Petite Justice hooked up with Ella Bella and Buffalo Jump on the front end through splits of :22.10 and :45..03 seconds, before the latter emerged with the lead.

Miss Crissy overhauled Buffalo Jump at the sixteenth pole, and edged away to complete the distance in 1:11.41. Elusive Thought finished a non-threatening third in the seven-horse field of Canadian-breds.

"It got a little tight on the backstretch, and I got her back and gave her a little breather around the turn," said Bahen. "It got a little tight turning for home, but her momentum carried her through."

Miss Crissy ($5.10) earned $98,100 in winning her second consecutive stakes for Harlequin Ranches and trainer Emile Allain, who captured the 2001 Fanfreluche with Miss Noire.