Painting rallies, catches Victory Kingdom in Ontario Fashion

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Painting, a blue-blooded daughter of Distorted Humor, enhanced her value greatly with a well-timed score Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion, her first stakes success.

Painting ($4.30) rallied from five lengths off a fast pace to catch pacesetter Victory Kingdom in deep stretch. She prevailed by a neck, getting the six furlongs in 1:09.46.

Sav finished another four lengths back in third, and was followed by Magic Spell, Tomlin, and Sister Peacock.

Winning trainer Josie Carroll said the race set up nicely for Painting, who was ridden by Patrick Husbands.

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“When I was watching the fractions, I saw they were cooking pretty good in front of her, which is a good thing, because I knew she’d be closing and she needed a little speed in front of her to close into,” Carroll said. “Turning for home, I was a little concerned. Is she going to get there? She’s a fierce competitor, and when she turns for home and has her sights on, she really wants to get it done.”

Carroll had cross-entered Painting in an overnight stakes, the 1 1/16-mile Belle Mahone, later on the card, but thought the Ontario Fashion was the best option for the 4-year-old.

“We were cross-entered, but winning this race was much more important because it’s graded against more significant company,” Carroll said. “I had her siblings and her mother. I go a long way back with this family. That always makes it special.”

Painting earned $75,000 of the $127,750 purse for the partnership of Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc., Glenn Sikura, and Windsor Boys Racing.