Woodbine: Favorite prevails

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Winter Garden ($3.50) seized command in midstretch en route to a workmanlike victory in the $136,125 Ontario Fashion Handicap.

Jockey David Clark had Winter Garden in a three-wide stalking position on the backstretch in the six-furlong race, as Acting Deputy and Leading Role hooked up through fractions of 22.40 and 45.39 seconds. Leading Role secured the lead at the quarter pole, but was joined at the head of the stretch by Winter Garden, who hit the front with an eighth left before edging away for a one-length win over Mille Feville. The final time was 1:10.59.

"She's a wonderful filly," said Clark. "From the sixteenth pole to the wire, she just pricked her ears and basically galloped. She wasn't really running hard."

Winter Garden, the lone 3-year-old in the six-horse field, earned $81,675 for owner Frank DiGiulio Jr. and trainer Bob Tiller.