Miss Vyvyanne shuts down the boys in Highlander Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The mare Miss Vyvyanne embarrassed a good group of males under Woodbine’s leading rider Pietro Moran in Saturday’s Grade 2, $212,000 Highlander, a five-furlong inner turf dash. 

Miss Vyvyanne darted out to the lead from the outset and was pressed by Western Whirl early before opening up daylight on the turn. She held her ground through the stretch and coasted home on top by two lengths, in a time of :56.27 over the firm ground. 

“She’s a cool filly,” Moran said. “She’s quick and when she gets comfortable out there, she just finishes strong. She’s pretty easy - she gives her best effort every time. It’s all I can ask. This year, she’s better than ever.”

Western Whirl secured second by three-quarters of a length over G T Five Hundred and Outlaw Kid, who dead-heated for third. Ready to Collect, Golden Afternoon, and Foxtrotanna completed the order of finish. 

Miss Vyvyanne ($5.20) earned $120,000 for owners Ralph Murray and Calstar Farm, who claimed the daughter of Rainbow Heir for $32,000 here a year ago. Trainer Gail Cox said she had several reasons for dropping the slip for the 6-year-old Florida-bred, who has now won her last six starts in inner turf sprints. 

“We just liked that she’s a fast filly who had run well for everybody that had her,” Cox said. “She just seemed to be very consistent.”

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