Our Flash Drive makes successful switch back to turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Favored Our Flash Drive made a successful transition to turf sprinting with a handy score in Saturday’s Grade 2 Royal North at Woodbine.

With Patrick Husbands aboard, Our Flash Drive tracked pacesetter Forest Drift through honest fractions in the 6 1/2-furlong event for fillies and mares.

Our Flash Drive took dead aim at Forest Drift early in the stretch and then hit the front around the sixteenth pole, en route to a 1 1/4-length tally, in a time of 1:13.88 over the firm ground.

Millie Girl rallied outside to catch a weakening Forest Drift for third. Adaay In Asia finished fifth and was followed by Baby No Worries, Imagery, Ambassador Luna, Owen’s Tour Guide, and Demodog. Bay Storm was scratched.

“I [wanted to] get her in the clear and keep my eyes on the leader,” Husbands said. “That horse on the lead she was doing it so easy. I had to go after her and I was hoping I didn’t move too early. She wants to run at horses. She’s a class horse. Going in these races, you have to ride them with a lot of confidence.”

Our Flash Drive ($4.30) banked $105,000 of the $181,250 purse for Live Oak Plantation. The daughter of Ghostzapper had won her two previous races on the Tapeta convincingly, the Grade 2 Bessarabian and the Grade 3 Whimsical in her season opener.

Trainer Mark Casse’s year-end goal with Our Flash Drive is the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita.

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