Moira cuts back for 2022 debut in Fury Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Kevin Attard is sending out Woodbine Oaks nominees Moira and Souper Flashy in Saturday’s $125,000 Fury Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Moira was among the leading 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine last year. She won her debut in a professional manner traveling 1 1/16 miles in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, while leaving Souper Flashy back in second.
Moira closed for second in her only other start in the Grade 3 Mazarine on Nov. 28. She was beaten a half-length by a wide-closing Mrs. Barbara, who was voted the Sovereign Award for Canadian champion 2-year-old filly at year’s end.
Moira wintered in Kentucky and returned to Woodbine near the end of March. Attard said he had planned on running her 1 1/16 miles off the layoff, but his plans went awry.
“This isn’t where we wanted to run her,” Attard admitted. “We entered in a couple of spots, and the races didn’t go. I’ve got to get her started. This is my next best option. I always thought she’s a two-turn horse. That’s why we ran her long right off the hop as a baby. I was hoping to do the same thing this year, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. The clock is ticking against us now.”
Moira finished well and galloped out strongly in her five-furlong team drill in 1:00.40 on May 29 on the Tapeta.
“She’s done everything we wanted her to,” Attard said. “I’m happy with where she’s at. The [Fury] distance worries me a bit, but she’s a very smart horse. Hopefully, she can put herself in a good position and go from there.”
Attard said Moira could run back in the Grade 3 Selene here July 2 before the Woodbine Oaks on July 24, which he won last year with Munnyfor Ro.
Souper Flashy won her debut at 2 and her 3-year-old opener, both sprinting against Ontario-sired opposition. In the Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of Souper Speedy made the lead early in the stretch before finishing 4 1/4 lengths in arrears.
“After her last race, she wintered in Florida,” Attard said. “We gave her some time off and started her back up in the new year. Her comeback win looked pretty easy. She’s in good order. I expect her to run a big race. I would think seven furlongs is ideal. Hopefully, she’ll go farther.
“Obviously, her race in the Princess Elizabeth wasn’t bad, but Souper Speedys aren’t too well known for going” long.
Among the other six entrants are first-out winner Pioneer’s Edge and Aubrieta.
Aubrieta beat open company going seven-eighths in the Oct. 30 Glorious Song Stakes. She rallied for second behind stablemate Beautiful Empire in her April 30 season opener, the six-furlong Star Shoot Stakes.