Taquanyah earns first stakes victory with Eternal Search

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Taquanyah notched her first stakes triumph while giving trainer Saul McHugh his first added-money score in Saturday’s $100,500 Eternal Search at Woodbine.

There was a ton of speed in the 7 1/2-furlong inner turf race, and Taquanyah saved ground near the rear of the field early ahead of a three-wide Tito’s Calling.

Favored Olivia Rose pressed Lady in Red through rapid fractions before they both faded in the stretch. Leo Salles angled Taquanyah outside for the drive and she got the jump on a wide-closing Tito’s Calling en route to a three-quarter-length win, in a time of 1:30.04.

Talk to Ya Later finished another three-quarters of a length back in third in the nine-horse field of Ontario-sired females.

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“It showed in the racing form there was a lot of pace,” Salles said. “Saul told me to take my time with her. I know her very well. I already had a couple of wins with her. I came in very confident. I knew we were going to fight for the win. The pace was very fast and everything (came together) for us.”

Taquanyah ($14.10) earned $60,000 for owner Robyn Brohman, who co-bred the 6-year-old daughter of Silent Name with McHugh.

“She’s actually a very easy horse to train, once you get to know her,” McHugh said. “The confidence I had coming in here was so-so. I was afraid of Olivia Rose and (War Painter). But having said that, we were coming with a sound horse, very fresh legs, and I knew I had her ready.”

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