Zestina runs down foes in Passing Mood Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Zestina ($4.40) rallied stoutly on the outside to land her first stakes in Saturday’s $100,000 Passing Mood, a seven-furlong turf sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.

Zestina saved ground on the turn while about three lengths off the lead, as Without a Doubt set soft fractions over the firm ground. Zestina was angled wide for the drive, and then kicked in strongly to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:22.84.

Without a Doubt edged out her stablemate, Silent Respect, for second. Line of Vision, the 125-pound highweight, closed wide to finish fourth, just 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner in the seven-horse field.

Gary Boulanger rode Zestina, who gave trainer Sid Attard his third win in the Passing Mood.

“She showed me a really big move,” Boulanger said. “This big, long stretch kind of plays to her. She’s got a big kick. I was relatively close, and should [have been] able to run those horses down. She did it pretty easy.”

A daughter of leading Ontario sire Silent Name, Zestina earned $60,000 for Stronach Stable. She was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs.