Woodbine: Artic Fern upsets King Corrie Stakes after duel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Artic Fern ($15.90) took it to Hollywood Hit early, before upsetting that imposing rival in the $112,000 King Corrie Stakes on Wednesday night at Woodbine.

Hollywood Hit, the 3-10 favorite, darted out to the lead in the six-furlong dash, before being joined along the inside by Artic Fern after a quarter in 22.39 seconds. They dueled around the turn through a half in 44.55, and Artic Fern began to edge away in the final sixteenth en route to a one-length score in 1:09.79.

Signature Red surged late to nail Hollywood Hit on the wire for second. General Broke finished another neck back in a field reduced to four with the scratch of Sports Select. There was no place or show wagering.

David Clark rode Artic Fern, who earned $75,000 for owner Gustav Schickedanz. Trainer Mike Keogh said Artic Fern had not seen action in the three previous months due to recurring shin problems.

“It was the same issue last year, just before the Queen’s Plate,” Keogh explained. “He comes up with these shins, and we just have to give him the time to get over it. His cannon bones are a little sensitive.”