Woodbine: Blue Heart overcomes inexperience, bad post in Mazarine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Blue Heart had just a winning six-furlong debut behind her and was breaking from the outside post in the field of 12 for last Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Mazarine Stakes here at Woodbine.

But, those and all other obstacles proved to be within Blue Heart’s scope as she established a good position early before taking charge in upper stretch and holding on for a head victory under jockey Joe Bravo.

“She showed a lot of quality,” said Brian Lynch, who conditions Blue Heart for California-based owners John and Jerry Amerman. “She got a little tired, which I think she was entitled to. I think the main thing for her was just to try not to get her in trouble and if she was a little wide, that was okay. We’d just hope she was best. I think with that race under her belt, she should take a big step forward next time.”

Blue Heart, who was defeating open company in the $232,600 Mazarine, should make her next start in the Princess Elizabeth, a 1 1/16-mile race for Canadian-bred 2-year-old fillies here Oct. 29.

Purchased for $375,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale, Blue Heart already has earned $190,260.

Lynch pair prep for Cup and Saucer

Lynch will be looking to knock down another big pot on Saturday with Colleen’s Sailor and Hampstead Heath slated for the $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes.

The pair breezed five furlongs in company in 1:01.20 here Sunday in preparation for the Cup and Saucer, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds.

Colleen’s Sailor, who races for Terra del Sienna Stables, won second time out over six furlongs of Polytrack here Sept 11.

Hampstead Heath, owned by Rob Smithen, finished a game second only to be disqualified and placed fourth in a roughly-run maiden race over one mile of turf here Sept. 10.

Gondorf wires turf marathon

In the meantime, Lynch added a unique feather to his cap on Sunday when he sent out Gondorf to win a 1 3/4-mile starter allowance which was the longest race ever run on the 18-year-old E.P. Taylor turf course.

Gondorf, owned by the Chicago-based Bob Gary, made every pole a winning one en route to a 3 1/2-length victory under Patrick Husbands in a race which was the finale of the inaugural Lou Cavalaris Marathon series.

“I had to go back to my training archives, and draw on my colonial background,” said Lynch, who was born in Brisbane, Australia, but has been based in North America for more than 20 years. “Distance races are my specialty.”

Gondorf, a 4-year-old gelding by Theatrical, was recording his third victory in Sunday’s $60,600 route after graduating for a $20,000 claiming price over 1 1/16 miles of Polytrack and later winning in similar fashion in a $40,000 conditioned claimer over one mile of turf.

“He’s just a classic stayer, especially if he can shake loose a little bit,” said Lynch. “That’s one of his assets. He’s got a bit of early foot, and if he can stretch them out they’ve got to do a lot of work to try to get to him.”