Woodbine: Delightful Mary fires off long layoff in Hendrie

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Delightful Mary, Canada’s champion 2-year-old filly in 2010, prevailed in her return from a 15-month layoff Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3, $150,000 Hendrie Stakes.

Man Stuff set rapid fractions with the wind at her back in the six and a half furlong sprint, as Delightful Mary bided her time near the back of the eight-horse field. Heavenly Pride, a 15-1 shot, hit the front in midstretch, but a wide Delightful Mary swept by her late to win by a length in 1:15.54. She paid $4.30.

Starship Universe finished a distant third over Katie Get Excited, while Acting Naughty rallied from far back for fifth after breaking in the air and giving the field a headstart.

Luis Contreras rode Delightful Mary for owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse.

“She was much the best,” said Contreras. “I was behind the pace, and I waited until the quarter pole to make my move. She just gave me everything at the end.”