Shakopee Town draws off to win Whimsical Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Louisiana shipper Shakopee Town made her first start on a synthetic surface a winning one Saturday in Woodbine’s opening-day feature, the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes.

Shakopee Town raced about three lengths off an honest pace on the backstretch, made up ground in the 2 path on the turn and then collared pacemaker Alnilah at the head of the stretch. She drew off in the final furlong to prevail by 3 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:09.55 for the six furlongs on Tapeta.

Sly Beauty, the favorite throughout most of the betting, finished second. She was followed by Zestina, Alnilah, Magic Spell, and Tarawa.

Alan Garcia rode Shakopee Town for trainer Kevin Attard, who saddled her for the first time. She made all 10 of her previous starts on dirt for trainer Gary Scherer.

“The filly [had an] easy trip. Everything worked out good,” said Garcia, who was winning the Whimsical for the second time.

Shakopee Town, a homebred by Jersey Town, was bet down to favoritism late and returned $4.90. She earned $75,000 of the $129,250 purse for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling. They also won the final Woodbine stakes in 2019, the Grade 3 Valedictory, with Pumpkin Rumble.