River Maid seeks repeat win in Ballade Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – River Maid, Canada’s champion female sprinter of 2016, will look to repeat in Sunday’s $125,000 Ballade Stakes for Ontario-sired fillies and mares over six furlongs on Tapeta.

A win would be River Maid’s first victory of the year after she made four trips to the winner’s circle last season. In her seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes on April 23, River Maid rallied from off the pace to finish second behind the front-running Southern Ring in the six-furlong sprint. Trainer Robert Tiller said he was thrilled with River Maid’s performance but added that River Maid prefers more ground.

“She’s a better horse going 6 1/2 furlongs or seven-eighths,” he said. “You’ve got to get the breaks going three-quarters. It’s not her preferred distance, but we were able to do it last year, so let’s hope for the best.”

River Maid got up in the last jump of last year’s edition of the Ballade to earn a nose decision over She’s Explosive. Tiller said the 5-year-old mare is coming into this year’s Ballade Stakes in good order.

“We were lucky to win last year by a nose,” he said. “We’ll see how the race sets up and how the track plays. She’s a great mare, and she’ll try hard. She’s got lots of heart. She’s in great shape, and I expect her to run well.”

Patrick Husbands was aboard River Maid in the Whimsical and retains the mount. Husbands won twice with River Maid last season in allowance events.

Key Contenders

River Maid, by Where’s the Ring
Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-87

◗ River Maid has recorded one work since the Whimsical, breezing four furlongs in 46.60 seconds May 4, the quickest work of the day at that distance.

◗ She’s hit the board in all six of her starts at six furlongs, including two wins and three runner-up finishes.

Galina Point, by Saffir
Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-79

◗ She drew the rail again after being down inside in the Whimsical. In that event, she rallied in the stretch to be fourth, just a quarter of a length behind River Maid.

◗ She was bet down to 4-5 in last year’s Ballade Stakes, where she had a troubled trip and finished sixth.

Code Warrior, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 89-88-86

◗ The Florida-bred runner joins the barn of trainer Rachel Halden after making three starts on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields over the winter.

◗ She earned a career-best 89 Beyer Speed Figure last out when third as the favorite in the Camilla Urso Stakes over six furlongs at Golden Gate on March 18.

Sparkles’ Girl, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 78-80-72

◗ She returns to stakes company after winning her 2017 debut in a $40,000 optional claimer April 21, when she earned a 78 Beyer. That start was her first since September.