Sultana back in winner's circle with Maple Leaf repeat

ETOBICOKE, Ontario − Favored Sultana won the $184,800 Maple Leaf for the second year in a row under a patient ride from Rafael Hernandez in the first of three Grade 3 Tapeta stakes on Saturday’s Woodbine card.

Lupa ran off on the front end and set quick fractions in the 1 1/4-mile test for fillies and mares while Sultana raced about 10 lengths off the early lead.

Sultana ($4.70) mounted a four-wide bid into contention on the far turn and then wore down Lupa late to score by a length in a final time of 2:05.33. Fortyfiveseventy, at 9-1, closed to nail Lupa on the wire for second, and Hurricane Clair checked in fourth in the seven-horse field.

Trained by Kevin Attard, Sultana hadn’t found the mark while racing in some tough spots since taking the Grade 3 Orchid in late March at Gulfstream. She was coming off a sixth-place finish behind Gimme a Nother and Jancis in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor.

“Finding the right races for this kind of a horse has been a little bit more challenging,” Attard said. “She was in some ambitious spots but didn’t disgrace herself. She ran well in them. We thought this race was a step down in class for her, where we can gain some confidence. She prevailed.”

Attard said retirement is on hold for the 5-year-old daughter of Always Dreaming.

“Right now, the plan is to continue racing her next season,” Attard said. “She’s been lightly raced. She didn’t make it to the races until she was 4. She’s good and healthy right now. We’ll probably freshen her up and aim for a Florida campaign for the winter.”

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