Purely Hot scores in Whimsical stakes as frontrunners fade

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kentucky shipper Purely Hot mowed down the speed under Chantal Sutherland-Kruse to take the Grade 3, $159,300 Whimsical Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Sutherland-Kruse picked up the mount at the last minute on Purely Hot from Eurico Da Silva, who booked off after getting kicked in the paddock prior to the seventh race.

She rated Purely Hot in third on the backstretch of the six-furlong dash, well off Goldstryke Glory, who set rapid fractions, with reigning Canadian champion female sprinter Youcan’tcatchme in close proximity.

Purely Hot began to mount a wide charge early in the lane and hit the front inside the eighth pole before drawing clear for a 3 1/2-length score in 1:09.89. Spring in the Air secured second over another closer, Mekong Delta, after the frontrunners faded.

“She was easy to ride,” said Sutherland-Kruse. “When she wanted to run, it was great. She just took off.”

Purely Hot ($15.10) earned $90,000 for Unlimited Equine LLC and trainer Tevis McCauley.