Why Katherine seeks redemption in Zadracarta Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Why Katherine will try to avenge her heartbreaking loss in the 2013 Zadracarta Stakes in this year’s edition of the $100,000, seven-furlong turf sprint Sunday at Woodbine.
Why Katherine won a two-turn optional claimer three starts back March 16 at Gulfstream Park, then finished third there April 5 in the Powder Break Stakes. She nearly won her first stakes here May 25 in the Grade 2 Nassau, in which she hit the front in the stretch before getting caught late and finishing second to Solid Appeal, last year’s Canadian champion turf female.
Trainer Kevin Attard said Why Katherine is better suited to a traditional infield turf track, as opposed to the more expansive Woodbine course, which encircles the main track.
“She’s shown an affinity for the Gulfstream oval, and I think the longer stretch here is a disadvantage for her,” Attard said. “We’ve had a few tough losses with her here, where I think it was a matter of timing. She’s also been nosed out by some decent horses, too. Her last race was a big one. It was a quality field, and a reigning champion beat her. We’re just hoping she runs back to it. She’s had a couple of good breezes.”
Trainer Mark Casse entered Spring in the Air and last year’s Zadracarta winner, Northern Passion, who rallied to beat Why Katherine by a neck in the race for Ontario-breds. He said he might not run Northern Passion in order to save her for the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes here July 6.
“I’m leaning toward running just Spring in the Air,” Casse said. “The last time she ran on the turf, she was second in the [Wonder Where Stakes]. I think it might be a good place for her to get back on the turf. The problem with Northern Passion is she’s lost all her speed. She’s been training extremely well and is probably going to the Dance Smartly. We won’t make a decision until the day of the race.”
Spring in the Air was a charging winner of the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes here May 24, while Northern Passion was a nonthreatening seventh last time out in the one-mile Nassau.
Smartyfly, who defeated Spring in the Air in the 1 1/4-mile Wonder Where last August, is making her third start of the year for trainer Malcolm Pierce. She managed to get the job done here May 24 in an optional claimer going seven furlongs, a distance that is shorter than what she prefers.
Completing the field are Dance to the Moon, Kay’s Grace, Rootham Triple E’s, and Silent Treat.