Top Quality holds off Yukon Belle in Strawberry Morn

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Top Quality paid $5.70 for her three-quarter-length victory over Yukon Belle in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn Handicap at Hastings on Saturday.

She posted a final time of 1:45.51 in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.

With Aaron Gryder aboard, Top Quality was in a pocket while sitting just off a moderate pace set by Yukon Belle, who posted a half-mile time of 48.60 seconds. Gryder moved her outside approaching the quarter-pole, and when she was clear she made a strong move while going four wide around the final turn.

She collared Yukon Belle turning for home and after dueling through the stretch she drew off late. Yukon Belle opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, but couldn’t hold off the determined bid by Top Quality. With David Lopez riding, Churlish Figure stalked the pace, loomed a threat while going three wide on the stretch turn, but couldn’t keep up while finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind Yukon Belle.

“I had a lot of horse, so I wasn’t too concerned when she was boxed in early," Gryder said. “Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, but I figured things would open up when David moved his horse. She needs to be clear, and once she was she finished very well.”

The win gave trainer Blaine Wright a sweep of the first three stakes for older fillies and mares at the meet. Wright won the Vancouver Sun and Brighouse Belles with the Peter Redekop-owned Alliford Bay.

Top Quality, based at Emerald Downs, races for David Mowat. In her only other start at Hastings, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Quality Road finished third in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks last Sept. 9.

“She really likes it here, and we were looking for a mile and sixteenth race for her,” Mowat said.