Woodbine: Paiota Falls prevails

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Paiota Falls ($3.90) shrugged off two challengers in the stretch to win her stakes debut at Woodbine in the $144,147 La Lorgnette, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

Paiota Falls got away slowly under jockey Heberto Castillo Jr. before rushing up to set moderate fractions of 23.91 and 47.71 seconds. Touchnow and My Vintage Port stalked throughout, and Touchnow was virtually on even terms with Paiota Falls in midstretch, but Paiota Falls fought back and won by a neck in a final time of 1:45.14.

"She was looking around a lot today," said Castillo. "She broke a bit slow, but I made the lead and tried to nurse her along. She dug in gamely."

My Vintage Port finished 1 3/4 lengths back in third in the four-horse field. Rosa Mundi was scratched. There was no place or show wagering.

Paoita Falls, based in New York with trainer Bill Mott, earned $79,575 for Dinwiddie Farm.