Summer Sunday wins Royal North, stays unbeaten at Woodbine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Summer Sunday ($7.50) turned in another powerful front-running performance to win her third straight stakes under Rafael Hernandez in Sunday’s Grade 2 Royal North at Woodbine.

Summer Sunday went with outsider Veil through a moderate first quarter before assuming command exiting the turn in the six-furlong turf sprint. She maintained a slim lead through the stretch and got home on top by 1 1/4 lengths over 10-1 shot Magic Spell, finishing in 1:08.26 over the firm ground.

The favored New York invader Oleksandra came wide from a trailing sixth to finish another length back in third. She was followed by Patton’s Girl, Veil, and second choice Ruby Notion.

Trainer Stu Simon has a great deal of admiration for Summer Sunday, who is unbeaten in seven starts at Woodbine.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

“She’s just so genuine,” Simon said. “She’s been a gift. She’ll just do whatever you want. She’s got such a fantastic head on her. She knows when it’s go time. She naturally does things that you need her to do to be successful.”

A daughter of leading Ontario sire Silent Name, Summer Sunday earned $126,000 of the $196,000 purse for owners William and Anne Scott.