Olivia Rose will try to stretch speed in Eternal Search
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Olivia Rose is the clear speed in Saturday’s $150,000 Eternal Search Stakes at Woodbine. Can she stay the 7 1/2-furlong distance on the inner turf? We shall see.
Trained by Mark Casse for owner/breeder Gabe Grossberg, Olivia Rose finished up the course at 4-5 after tracking a hot pace in the 2024 Eternal Search. In last year’s edition of the Ontario-sired event, she led the way before yielding late to archrival Little Teddy, who was crowned Canadian champion female sprinter at year’s end.
This year, Olivia Rose’s form has been mediocre. The 5-year-old was a well-beaten sixth behind Little Teddy when exiting the sidelines May 9. She was softened up in a speed duel when fourth two back in the six-furlong Ballade Stakes. She switched to the inner turf most recently in the five-furlong Zadracarta Stakes and ran fourth behind Little Teddy, who hasn’t started since and has been turned out for the year.
Olivia Rose has worked a half-mile twice this month, including in a bullet 47 seconds Oct. 2. Rafael Hernandez has the mount from post 3 in the six-horse field. She’s worth playing 2-1 or higher.
Casse also entered Ella It Is, who won her penultimate start going 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf against first-level allowance company. She rallied for third last out Aug. 30 on the Tapeta in the seven-furlong Algoma Stakes for graduates of Canadian yearling sales. Leading rider Pietro Moran retains the mount on the daughter of Point of Entry.
The other contenders are Just Magnificent and Regal Moment.
Just Magnificent should be rolling late under Ryan Munger. The late bloomer took her time clearing the two Ontario-sired allowance conditions, beating nonwinners-of-three stock three back. She subsequently finished second in another main turf route, the Belfountain Stakes for Ontario-breds.
Just Magnificent could only manage third under 125 pounds last out when favored in an open first-level allowance. Evette Chartrand-Hoek trains her for a partnership headed by Ontario HBPA president Sue Leslie.
“In her most recent start, she set herself back too much and there was just too much to make up,” Chartrand-Hoek said. “We’re back on the inner turf for this one, so we know she can’t be lollygagging, especially with it being seven and a half furlongs. She will have to pick her head up a bit quicker.”
Regal Moment won two consecutive allowances early in the summer. A wide trip over an inside/speed track led to her downfall when a chalky fourth in the Algoma. Most recently, she closed along the rail and was outfinished for second in a one-mile conditioned allowance on the inner turf. Runner-up Justify Perfection returned to win an allowance at Fort Erie.
Speedy Freeze and Nikita’s Gem were both supplemented. Speedy Freeze prevailed in a seven-furlong allowance on the main turf in August but missed the board in each of her last two outings in stakes.
◗ There is a mandatory payout in the Jackpot Hi 5 in Saturday’s 11th race. Heading into this week, the carryover was $160,393.
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