Ya Mar triumphs in South Ocean, Silent Runner notches Frost King
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Favored Ya Mar captured Sunday’s $100,000 South Ocean Stakes at Woodbine over another Mark Casse-trained runner, second choice Lois Len.
Kazushi Kimura rated the diminutive Ya Mar just off pacesetter Loaded Vixen in second on the backstretch in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.
Ya Mar hit the front at the three-eighths pole, and then opened up a clear lead nearing the quarter pole before coasting home on top by 2 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:17.16.
Lois Len wound up a length ahead of third-place finisher Swinging Mandy. Allpaidup, the slow-starting My Girl Sky, Thatsitthatsall and Loaded Vixen completed the order of finish.
“She’s a nice filly, and pretty quick,” Kimura said. “She’s very eager to run. When I stayed close with the inside horse, she was okay. When I opened up, it was time to go. That was pretty easy.”
Ya Mar ($5) earned $60,000 in her first stakes success for owner-breeder Gabe Grossberg. The daughter of Silent Name was coming off a third in the tougher Shady Well Stakes for Ontario-breds.
*** Silent Runner ($8.70) notched his first stakes win on short rest under David Moran in Sunday’s $100,000 Frost King for Ontario-sired juveniles.
Silent Runner came from third to put pressure on front-runner Where’s Neal through the turn and then wore him down in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 1:16.96 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.
The good-looking first-timer Sir for Sure rallied from seventh to finish second over favored Gatling Gun. Where’s Neal faded to fourth, and was followed by Classy Whisper, Lucys Child, and J M R Best of Turf.
Silent Runner had won his previous race in front-running style in an Ontario-sired allowance Nov. 12.
“I was a little worried coming back so quick,” Moran said. “He broke really fast. I was able to take him back in behind the speed. He settled lovely, and then when I asked him, he ran right to the wire. He’s just a lovely little guy.”
A son of Silent Name trained by Mike Doyle, Silent Runner banked $60,000 for owner-breeder C Scott Abbott Racing Stable.