Toni Ann's Miracle comes in off big effort
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Toni Ann’s Miracle put on one of the most impressive performances at Hastings this year when she won the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap on June 2.
With leading rider Amadeo Perez aboard, Toni Ann’s Miracle dueled through rapid fractions with the previously undefeated Here’s Hannah, and then drew away from her overmatched opponents to win the 6 1/2-furlong dash by 4 1/4 lengths. Perez had her under wraps inside the final sixteenth or the margin would have been larger.
Trainer Phil Hall is hoping for a similar performance when she goes around three turns for the first time in the $50,000 Supernaturel Handicap at Hastings Monday. She will undoubtedly be a short price in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that drew seven horses. Post time for the eight-race holiday card is 1:50 p.m. Pacific.
Toni Ann’s Miracle was making her first start for Hall and owner Peter Redekop in the Emerald Downs. The Florida-bred had previously raced exclusively for trainer Larry Pilotti in her home state, where as a 2-year-old she won three straight races by a combined 28 lengths at Gulfstream Park West before finishing second in the $50,000 Sandpiper at Tampa Bay Downs. In her final start in Florida, she dead-heated for first with Luzmimi Princess in a $75,000 optional claiming race with first-level allowance conditions at Gulfstream Park on April 6. She took home the full share of the purse when the stewards disqualified Luzmimi Princess back to second for causing interference in the stretch.
Hall is somewhat confident Toni Ann’s Miracle will be able to handle her first route assignment.
“I loved the way she galloped out in the Emerald Downs,” said Hall. “She has the pedigree to go long but you never know until they try it.”
The exercise rider for Toni Ann’s Miracle is Hall’s daughter Sara Hall.
“Sara likes the way she is training,” said Hall. “When I asked her about it she said, ‘Dad, don’t worry, she’s just the same as she was going into her last race.’ Everything looks good,”
Toni Ann’s Miracle will break from post 3 with Perez riding.
KEY CONTENDERS
Toni Ann’s Miracle, by Hear No Evil
Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-64
She completely dominated the Emerald Downs, and being a half-sister to four-time route winner City Without Pay, she should handle the added yardage.
Titpoe, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 2 Beyers: 65-35
Trained by Dino Condilenios, she is undefeated in two starts, and in both of her wins she ran like a horse that would thrive going longer. With plenty of potential speed in the field, the shape of the race could work in her favor.
Here’s Hannah, by Numaany
Last 3 Beyers: 67-55-64
The John Morrison-trainee was all out to win her first start this year in the $50,000 Ross McLeod and may have bounced when she suffered her first loss while finishing third in the Emerald Downs,
She is reunited with jockey Richard Hamel, who was aboard for all of her wins including an eight-length romp going a mile and a sixteenth in her final start as a 2-year-old in the $100,000 Fantasy.