Regan's Flame too good for short field in Seaway

ETOBICOKE, Ontario − The heavily-favored Saratoga shipper Reagan’s Flame, a regular visitor to Woodbine, won the scratch-marred $177,100 Seaway Stakes under Edgard Zayas on Saturday.

Four scratches, including morning-line favorite Creed’s Gold, left a field of four to contest the Grade 3 event for fillies and mares. Uphill Dance set slow fractions in the seven-furlong sprint with Reagan’s Flame taking up the chase in second, ahead of Quadruple and Scat Girl.

Zayas urged Reagan’s Flame along exiting the turn and they hit the front at the eighth pole before drawing clear to score by 3 1/4 lengths, in a time of 1:22.64.

Uphill Dance finished another 3 1/4 lengths back in third, while Scat Girl trailed throughout.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Reagan’s Flame ($2.80) banked $110,250 for the partnership of St Elias Stable, BAG Racing Stables, Turf Express Racing, and Diamon Watkins.

The victory was Reagan’s Flame’s fourth straight start at Woodbine and it made the daughter of Flameaway the frontrunner for Canadian champion female sprinter honors this year. She also won the Grade 3 Whimsical here May 2 and finished third behind Creed’s Gold in the Grade 3 Hendrie here June 27.

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