Safe to Say prevails in blanket finish in Bison City

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Safe to Say came charging on the outside in the final furlong to notch her first stakes win Sunday at Woodbine in the $225,000 Bison City, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, a series for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Safe to Say rated kindly in fifth on the backstretch as Katie Baby set lively fractions in the 1 1/16-mile route, with Avie’s Mineshaft second. Safe to Say began to mount a wide rally exiting the far turn and caught Avie’s Mineshaft and Katie Baby in the final strides to prevail by a neck over the former in a final time of 1:44.41.

Katie Baby finished another head back in third, just in front of the favored maiden Hot Cash. Lunar Garden, Midnight Flash, and Mo Big Cat completed the order of finish.

Jerome Lermyte rode Safe to Say once again for trainer Mark Casse, who bypassed the first leg of the series, the Woodbine Oaks, with the filly.

“She has improved this year,” Casse said. “A great ride by Jerome. I’m glad to see it. He’s helped us along. This is his second year riding [at Woodbine]. Maybe this will get some people to pay attention. He tries so hard. I’m proud of her, and I’m proud of him.”

A daughter of Justin Phillip, Safe to Say paid $13.40 and earned $135,000 for owners Gary Barber and Windways Farm.