Patches O’Houlihan dodges rivals for first turf stake in Lake Huron
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ETOBICOEK, Ontario — Unbeaten Tapeta runner Patches O’Houlihan annexed his first stakes on turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Lake Huron, one of two five-furlong, Ontario-sired inner course sprints for 3-year-olds on the Woodbine card.
Patches O’Houlihan ($6) broke on top under Daisuke Fukumoto before settling into a stalking position in second, as Silent Reserve set fast fractions under Rafael Hernandez.
Silent Reserve tried to fend off Patches O’Houlihan through the stretch, but the latter dug to prevail by a length and a quarter. Lukewarm favorite Poulin in O T wound up third and Kinetic Stone trailed. Awesome Bourbon was scratched.
Over firm ground, the final time was a quick :56.49.
Patches O’Houlihan earned $63,000 for owner/breeder Frank DiGiulio Jr. The son of Reload is trained by Robert Tiller, who was impressed by the once-beaten gelding’s performance.
“He proved to me today that he’s a really good horse,” Tiller said. “I was very concerned about the other speed in there. He took care of [them], and he’s just a really nice horse. We needed this win. My horses have been running like turtles.”
Souper Sunday ($11.70) proved a handy winner of Saturday’s $101,500 Georgian Bay for fillies.
With Eswan Flores aboard, Souper Sunday pressed the leading Cara Cara from the outset before hitting the front in mid-stretch. She went on to score by 2 1/4 lengths, in a time of :57.24.
Flowers ‘n Berries edged out the favored Foolish Games for third, as Cara Cara weakened to finish fourth in the 11-horse field.
Souper Sunday was winning her third in a row for trainer Steve Owens, who owns the daughter of Souper Speedy in partnership with Empress Stable. She graduated over $15,000 maidens in her season debut before doubling up against $25,000 non-winners of two opposition.
“Last year she was growing, a 2-year-old with a lot of aches and pains,” Owens recalled. “We rushed her a little bit and ended up sending her to the farm. She came back in real good order. We took advantage of running her for $15,000 at the end of last year, and got to bring her back on waiver claiming, and then moved her up to the next level.”
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