Woodbine: Cryptic Message aims to stay perfect in Victorian Queen Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The speedy Cryptic Message will put her unbeaten record on the line Saturday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, a six-furlong dash for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Cryptic Message has won three stakes since she graduated at 33-1 on June 16. A month later, she defeated a good field of Ontario-breds, including Spring in the Air, in the 5 1/2-furlong Shady Well.

Cryptic Message set quick fractions over a speed-favoring track before taking the six-furlong Nandi for Ontario-sired fillies by a length Aug. 5. She was a much easier winner most recently in the 6 1/2-furlong Muskoka, for graduates of local yearling sales.

“I was a little concerned after her last race,” trainer Ralph Biamonte said. “It was so hot that day, and she was off her feed for a couple days, but she bounced back real good. She’s her old self again.”

Cryptic Message, who was a mere $5,000 yearling purchase by CEC Farm, possesses the pedigree of a router.

“She’s been a pleasant surprise,” Biamonte said. “She’s really quick. At the sale, I was looking for something to go long. She’s by Cryptograph and out of a Deputy Commander mare. I guess I’m just meant to be a sprint trainer. As long as they’re collecting money for the owner, that’s good enough.”

Cryptic Message averaged a 64 Beyer Speed Figure in her three stakes scores, a number that hasn’t been exceeded by any of her Victorian Queen rivals.

Careless Word earned a 53 Beyer when she captured a five-furlong maiden special for Ontario-sired stock by nearly eight lengths in her only race Aug. 17.

“Even since she ran, she’s steadily improved,” trainer Stuart Simon said. “She’s been working and training well, and I expect her to run really good. I don’t know if we can beat Cryptic Message. She looks like an awfully nice filly, but we’re sure going to try.”

Strut the Course was a belated fourth in her Aug. 10 debut. She subsequently won another six-furlong maiden special by six lengths, with a 57 Beyer.

Tahnee, who was supplemented for $2,500, was scratched from an allowance Friday. After landing her debut, she was ninth in the Shady Well, but then rebounded with a victory over $40,000 opposition Aug. 18.

Tahnee was claimed from another $40,000 win Sept. 12 by trainer Jason Giliforte.

With five races under her girth, Professor’s Ride has the most experience in the lineup. She graduated in her third start with a 61 Beyer and then finished second in the Nandi, but could only manage fifth in the Muskoka.

Completing the field are maidens Crysta’s Court and Philzana.