'Serious' stuns Canadian champion

Corey Fraser guides 8-1 shot Are You Serious to a one-length victory over 1-2 favorite Judiths Wild Rush in the Bold Venture Stakes at Woodbine.

Under a ground-saving ride from Corey Fraser, Are You Serious upset last year's Canadian champion sprinter, 1-2 favorite Judiths Wild Rush, in the $125,000 Bold Venture Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

Lakeville Rush set a moderate pace in the three path of the 7 1/2-furlong race on the inner track. Judiths Wild Rush pressed in second, racing four wide, and Are You Serious raced three lengths off the pace in third on the backstretch.

Are You Serious made a strong bid on the far turn, then opened up a clear lead early in the stretch before holding off Judiths Wild Rush to score by a length. Lakeville Rush faded to third in the five-horse field.

"It worked out well," Fraser said. "[The leaders] stayed off the rail. He dug in and gave me everything he had, like he always does."

Are You Serious ($19.40) covered the distance in a track-record 1:29.81 over a track labeled sloppy He banked $75,000 for co-owners Frank DiGiulio Jr. and trainer Bob Tiller.

* Barilko led throughout the co-featured $126,200 Colin Stakes, a five-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds.

Barilko broke sharply and set quick fractions under Constant Montpellier. He drew away in the final furlong and coasted home on top by four lengths over Magical Fortune. Kentucky shipper Datrick, the 3-5 favorite, finished a nonthreatening third in the eight-horse field.

"He's a good-looking horse," Montpellier said. "He's very talented and very professional, and he showed all those attributes today. We were a little worried, because there was all kinds of speed in the field, but he broke out of there running, took the lead very easily, and kept going."

Barilko, who won his only other start against $50,000 maidens, ran the distance in 57.11 seconds. He earned $75,000 for owner/trainer Dave Dwyer.