Woodbine: 'Mist' ships to score

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Belmont invader Madeira Mist ($18.90) closed along the rail to edge 30-1 shot First Quarter and win the Grade 3, $187,250 Dance Smartly Handicap at Woodbine

Madeira Mist raced well off a lively pace under Patrick Husbands in the nine-furlong turf race for fillies and mares. Favored Chopinina set fractions of 22.95 seconds for a quarter-mile and 45.49 for a half-mile while being pressed by Ginger Gold and Five Fishes on the backstretch.

Chopinina established a clear lead early in the stretch, but began to weaken at the eighth pole, as a host of runners came charging. Madeira Mist's late burst of speed put her a nose in front of First Quarter, who had mounted a steady wide rally under Na Somsanith.

"I was happy with my position down the backside," Husbands said. "About five furlongs out, she jumped to her left lead. I put her back on her right lead, but about one stride later, she was back on her left lead. I left her on her left lead, because I didn't want to get into a fight with her."

Madeira Mist, trained by Christophe Clement, earned $103,050 for Skymarc Farm.

The final time was 1:48.05 over a firm course.