Woodbine: Norquay tries to remain unbeaten in Glorious Song

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Reade Baker seeks his third consecutive stakes win at Woodbine when he sends out Norquay in Saturday’s $125,000 Glorious Song. The seven-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies also lured the promising Zensational Bunny, who like Norquay is unbeaten in one start.

Norquay, a $70,000 juvenile purchase by the young sire Fairbanks, rallied from sixth to win her Oct. 20 debut going away by 4 1/2 lengths. She put up a 74 Beyer Speed Figure in that seven-furlong maiden special weight race, which was scheduled for the turf.

Baker said he was somewhat surprised by the strong showing from Norquay.

“I thought she’d run good, but I didn’t think she’d run that big,” Baker said. “When I bought her, I paid a lot of money for one by that sire. She certainly did that with authority, and we expect the same thing this time. She’s doing super.”

Jim McAleney, who rode the Baker-trained Asserting Bear to victory in last Sunday’s Coronation Futurity, retains the mount on Norquay.

Zensational Bunny, a daughter of the rapid racehorse and freshman sire Zensational, earned her diploma racing on the lead by three lengths Sept. 27, receiving an 81 Beyer. Two fillies have exited that 5 1/2-furlong maiden dash to score in maiden special company, including runner-up Avicii, who graduated last Sunday at Churchill.

Zensational Bunny was subsequently sold by trainer Pat Parente to owner Gary Barber. She has worked extensively leading up to the Glorious Song for new trainer Mark Casse.

Ida Bambina graduated in her fifth start Oct. 12, and then doubled up in a six-furlong allowance sprint for Ontario-sired fillies on Nov. 6.

Trainer Mike DePaulo said he preferred the Glorious Song over Sunday’s 1 1/16-mile South Ocean Stakes for Ida Bambina because of the shorter distance.

“I always thought she would like a mile and a sixteenth, but she didn’t run any good when I ran her long,” DePaulo said. “I don’t know why, so I’m not going to try and be a hero. I’m going to run her short. It’s back a little quick, but she’s doing good. We purposely breezed her an easy half the other day. It would be nice to get some black type for her.”

Executive Allure is coming off a front-running 12-1 maiden win in the restricted Fanfreluche Stakes.

“She’s been working well,” Da Silva said. “She’s better than before.”