Pamina by a head over Katie Baby in Ontario Matron

Pamina came from Maryland to notch her first stakes win over the favored Katie Baby in Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Matron on the Tapeta at Woodbine.

Pamina ($15.20) raced four wide throughout the 1 1/16-mile route under Luis Contreras. Sense of Bravery set fast fractions while tracked by a trio of pursuers, as Pamina raced in midpack on the backstretch.

Pamina made her way into contention on the far turn and then dueled with Katie Baby in the final sixteenth to prevail by a head in 1:42.42.

Giovanna Blues rallied from 11th to finish another 1 3/4 lengths back in third. She was followed by Miss Mo Mentum, Niigon’s Bay, Lunar Garden, Crumlin Queen, Dixie Moon, Ladies Night, Summer Luck, and Sense of Bravery.

Trainer Michael Dickson, the inventor of the Tapeta surface, saddled Pamina for Augustin Stable. The daughter of the late Street Cry earned $75,000 of the $127,450 purse.

“She was a nice filly last year, and [owners] Mr. and Mrs. Strawbridge took her home for the winter,” Dickinson said. “They have a lovely rehab farm. She came back this year bigger and stronger then ever.”