Ontario rebounds with upset in Athenia Stakes
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Ontario disappointed as the favorite when she shipped back to her native Ontario and ran fourth in Woodbine’s restricted Belfountain Stakes on Sept. 13. She made amends with a longshot score in Friday’s $175,000 Athenia Stakes at Belmont under a ground-saving ride from Dylan Davis.
Ontario was squeezed back at the break in the 1 1/8-mile turf route for fillies and mares before racing about five lengths off a quick pace set by Storm Miami.
Mischief in Motion pressed Storm Miami throughout before they both tired in the stretch. Ontario split rivals at the eighth pole and won going away by 3 1/4 lengths over Miwa, who had rallied outside from a trailing sixth.
The favored Grayosh checked in third and was followed by Mischief in Motion, Starship Athena, and Storm Miami. Princess Attitude was scratched.
The final time was 1:46.48 over an inner course labeled as firm.
After his near-disastrous start, Davis said he was content racing in fifth early.
“I knew they were going pretty quick, to her liking, but I just wanted to be able to get her into a good rhythm,” Davis said. "She was tracking nicely. She was on the bridle for me. I was tracking Grayosh, which I was happy about. Then down the backside, I knew she'd create some gaps for me to give me some options. Her rider was looking to get out there, pushing (Jose Lezcano on Starship Athena) out, which created a gap on the inside for me to take a shot. The filly exploded through there, nice and strong."
Trained by Joe Sharp, Ontario earned $96,250 for the partnership of NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods. It was the first stakes victory for the 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper who paid $23.96.
Antonio Fresu said his mount, Miwa, was simply second-best.
"I thought she ran huge,” Fresu said. “She settled really well in behind, which was the plan. She always needs a target. I thought I had a clear shot from the quarter-pole - she went for it, but kind of like stood there a little bit, but I think the winner was much the best today. She had a good trip up the inside and she beat me really well. I was still very happy with my filly, though."
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