Earning her first career graded stakes victory, Miss Vyvyanne scored in the $149,354 Highlander Stakes (G2T) June 27 at Woodbine.
Under jockey Pietro Moran, Miss Vyvyanne broke sharply in the 5 furlong turf test and raced up to set the pace, posting fractions of :22.22 and :44.50. The Gail Cox trainee continued to travel comfortably down the backstretch and opened up on the field around the turn. She hit the stretch clear of her competition and continued to hold that position in the down the lane, hitting the wire 2 lengths the best. Western Whirl was second, and G T Five Hundred and Outlaw Kid were inseparable on the wire, as they finished in a dead heat for third. Miss Vyvyanne completed the race in a final time of :56.27 and, as the post-time favorite, paid $5.20 for the win.
"She's a cool filly, very easy," Moran said. "She's quick, and when she gets comfortable out there, she just finishes strong. She's pretty easy and gives her best effort every time. This year, she's better than ever."
The 6-year-old daughter of Rainbow Heir gets her graded stakes glory in her 25th career start, and becomes the first black-type stakes winner for her sire. Owned by Ralph Murray and Calstar Farm, she has now won three of her four starts this year.
Video: bet365 Highlander S. (G2T)
Brachetto comes FROM off the pace in Marine
In the $114,129 Marine Stakes (G3), Brachetto scored a last-to-first victory for trainer Julia Carey. Under jockey Ryan Munger, the 3-year-old son of Vekoma settled in last off pacesetter Casson, who posted fractions of :23.45, 47.01, and 1:12.25. He continued to travel well in hand down the backside, and made his move for the lead on the turn for home. Brachetto came under a drive in the stretch and got up in time to hit the wire a half-length in front. Owned by Dr. Ross and Brenda McKauge, he completed the 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather surface in a final time of 1:44.94 and paid $38.60 to win.
Video: Marine S. (G3)
Favored Luster Draws off to take Selene
Luster saved ground early and scored in the $125,542 Selene Stakes (G3) for trainer Josie Carroll. With jockey Fraser Aebly aboard, the 3-year-old daughter of Knicks Go rated off pacesetter Tulip, who set fractions of :23.30, :47.84, and 1:12.83. As the post-time favorite, she raced under patient handling while inching toward the leader around the far turn. Luster found the front as the field approached the stretch drive, and she continued to draw off to win in the 1 1/16 mile race by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:44.06. Owned by Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen, she paid $4.90 to win.
Video: Selene S. (G3)
Dominion Day Goes to Runaway Again
In the $124,273 Dominion Day Stakes (G3), Runaway Again defeated Canadian champion Paramount Prince, who had to settle for the runner-up position. With Munger aboard, the 4-year-old Hard Spun gelding settled behind the two early leaders in the 1 1/8 mile test. Paramount Prince dictated the pace with fractions of :24.96, :50.60, 1:14.47, and 1:38.44. Runaway Again raced unhurried until the field approached the turn, and came under a ride at the quarter pole. The Sid Attard trainee continued to try to reach the leader, grinding out the stretch drive, until he finally caught him, scoring by a neck on the line in 1:50.63. Owned by Stronach Stables, he paid $11.20 for a $2 wager. Munger picked up his second stakes win of the afternoon.
"First of all, I thank the gate crew, who schooled him," said Attard. "They have done a beautiful job. He's been doing really good and things worked out good. He's going to get better and better."
Video: Dominion Day S. (G3)
Royal North Stakes Closes out Huge Day
Shifty wrapped up the stakes action at Woodbine with a victory in the $124,273 Royal North Stakes (G3T). Under jockey Rafael Hernandez, she broke sharply and sat just off pacesetter Without Cause, who posted fractions of :22.84 and :46.67. She rode the rail down the backstretch and continued to race unhurried as the field turned for home. As the horses hit the top of the stretch, and Shifty split rivals and gained command of the race. The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro drew clear, hitting the wire three-quarters of a length the best. Trained by Mark Casse and owned by D. J. Stable, she paid $10.00 for the win and completed the 7 1/2 furlongs in a final time of 1:29.08.
