Verdana Bold holds on

Verdana Bold set sail on a clear lead and held off even-money favorite Grace and Power in the final strides to take the Grade 3, $259,300 Selene Stakes at Woodbine.

Verdana Bold set fractions of 24.04 seconds and 47.26 in the 1 1/16-mile race, and she opened up a four-length lead on the far turn, through three-quarters in 1:10.68. Maryland shipper Grace and Power commenced an inside rally exiting the far turn and came up a head short of the winner.

Initforreal was another length back in third, and second choice Officer Cherrie finished sixth in the seven-horse field of 3-year-old fillies.

Verdana Bold ($17) covered the distance in 1:44.20 under jockey Emile Ramsammy. She banked $150,000 in her second consecutive stakes win for owner Edward Seltzer and trainer Danny Vella.