Smart Surprise's wide rally wins Hendrie

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Smart Surprise took the long way home en route to capturing the Grade 3, $158,600 Hendrie Stakes over Kentucky shipper Proud Heiress at Woodbine on Sunday.

Smart Surprise raced about four lengths off the lead in a four-wide position, as Bear Lahaina set fractions of 22.77 seconds and 44.53. Smart Surprise rallied wide in unison with Proud Heiress in the final furlong, and got home on top by neck, in a final time of 1:16.01. Authenicat finished another two lengths back in third in the nine-horse field of fillies and mares.

The Hendrie was the third victory on the card for jockey Patrick Husbands, who got a leg up from trainer Josie Carroll.

"My filly had an outside draw, so I didn't have to worry about anybody," said Husbands. "There was a lot of speed in the race, and it unfolded the way I wanted it to unfold."

Smart Surprise returned $6.30 as the favorite, and earned $90,000 for Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc.