Tara's Way gets perfect trip in Duchess of York

Tara’s Way made no mistakes in winning the $50,000 Duchess of York at Northlands Park on Saturday. She paid $10.00 for her 1 1/4-length win over Anstrum.

With Shamaree Muir riding, Tara’s Way broke alertly and then had a perfect trip sitting just off C U At Eau Claire, who set quick interior fractions in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares. She took over the lead on the stretch turn, held a 3 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole and was all-out to hold off Anstrum, who rallied from along the rail. Sail On By loomed a threat midstretch but hung late.

The final time was 1:45.94

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Tizway, Tara’s Way is owned by Almac Racing Stable and trained by Rick Hedge.

Smarty River Pants had an easy time winning the $57,000 Princess Margaret Stakes for 2-year-olds. He forced the early pace before drawing off to win by nine lengths over Thatsafactjack, who set the pace in the six-furlong dash. Jockey Wilber Galivz had the Alberta-bred son of Afleet Alex under wraps in the final sixteenth or the margin would have been larger.

He paid $3.50 and posted a final time of 1:12.36.

Smarty River Pants was bred and is owned by Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. He is trained by Tim Rycroft.