Olivia Rose holds off Regal Moment late to take Eternal Search

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Olivia Rose was the clear speed on paper in Saturday’s $150,000 Eternal Search Stakes at Woodbine and she proved to be a punctual choice under Rafael Hernandez.

Olivia Rose ($4.60) finished second to the future Canadian champion female sprinter Little Teddy in last year’s edition of the 7 1/2-furlong inner turf race for Ontario-sired females. She was able to secure an easy lead while setting quick fractions this time before holding off a late bid from Regal Moment to win by a length, in a time of 1:28.63 over the firm inner turf.

Ella It Is raced in third throughout, finishing two lengths behind Regal Moment. Speedy Freeze, Just Magnificent, and Nikita’s Gem completed the order of finish.

“You have to let her do her own thing,” Hernandez said. “Let her break and let her be where she wants to be - don’t rush her and don’t (rate her) too much.”

A homebred owned by Gabe Grossberg, Olivia Rose banked $90,000 in her fifth stakes victory. The stocky daughter of Silent Name gave leading trainer Mark Casse his third winner on the card.

“She’s tough when she makes the lead,” Casse said via text after the race.

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