Woodbine: Goldstryke Glory goes gate to wire in Apelia Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A thoroughly professional Goldstryke Glory led all the way under Jesse Campbell to take the $102,200 Apelia Stakes on Wednesday night at Woodbine.

Over a track that favored closers, Goldstryke Glory ($3.50) set quick fractions of 22.25 seconds and 44.39 on a clear lead in the six-furlong event. Her advantage dwindled in the last sixteenth, but she held on to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.19.

Youcan’tcatchme nosed out Nikkis Smartypants for second, and Acting Naughty finished fourth in a field reduced to five with the scratch of Roxy Gap.

“We didn’t want to change anything,” Campbell said. “She was the speed on paper. She’s quick, but she’s not rapid. She’s very kind. She was so quiet in the gate that I was actually a little worried. How often does that happen with a speed horse? She kind of smoothes out when she goes into the turn, so I gave her her head. She held them off at the wire.”

In notching her second straight stakes, Goldstryke Glory banked $60,000 for owner Barry Holmes and trainer Kelly Callaghan.