Seaside Retreat sets record with Nijinsky win

Seaside Retreat ($12.60) broke the 1 1/4-mile course record Monday at Woodbine, taking the $305,900 Nijinsky Stakes over favored Strike a Deal.

A shipper from the United States, Seaside Retreat assumed an early stalking position under Patrick Husbands in the Grade 2 event as Strike a Deal set slow fractions while being pressed along the inside by another American shipper, Independent George.

Seaside Retreat made a three-wide bid on the far turn and assumed a slim lead at the quarter pole, before drawing off for a one-length win over Strike a Deal. French Beret wound up third in the seven-horse field. The final time, 2:00.60, was .08 of a second faster than Mrs. Lindsay's clocking in the 2007 E.P. Taylor Stakes.

Seaside Retreat picked up $180,000 for owner Bill Farish Jr. and trainer Mark Casse.

"They were walking up front, and I knew it was going to be a sprint home," Casse said. "There aren't going to be too many horses who run by [Seaside Retreat] down the lane."