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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
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Mark Casse-Trained Quintet Seek Classic Glory In Woodbine Oaks
Mark Casse-Trained Quintet Seek Classic Glory In Woodbine Oaks originally appeared on Paulick Report. Twelve fillies, including five Mark Casse trainees, will vie for top prize in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Stella Artois, one of four stakes on Sunday's 10-race card at Woodbine. Inaugurated in 1956, the filly classic, for Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies carrying 121 pounds over 1 ⅛ miles on the main track, will go postward at 5:20 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live, along with the Plate Trial, on Sportsnet One from 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET. The winning connections will receive $300,000. Sunday's card also features the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes, a key race ahead of The King's Plate (Aug. 16), the $200,000 Canadian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T), and the $175,000 bet365 Connaught Cup (G2T).Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will send out the quintet of Ella It Is, No Time, Shifty, War Signal, and It Is, 2-2-0 from eight starts ($86,298 in purse earnings), will make her fifth career stakes appearance when she goes postward on Sunday. The daughter of Point of Entry out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Our Ella finished second in both the Victorian Queen and South Ocean last year, and was seventh, albeit just 3 ½ lengths behind the winner, in the 2024 running of the Princess Elizabeth It Is debuted last July and finished seventh but rebounded with a smart two-length score in a 6 ½-furlong main track race, also at the Toronto oval, that was originally scheduled for the bay, who notched a sharp 3 ¾-length win at 1 1/16 miles on the Woodbine main track on June 1, heads into the Oaks off a seventh in the Selene Stakes (G3) on June 28.'She has shown she can run well,' said Casse. 'She has to step up her game now. This will be a test for her. She is really only one of my fillies in this race who can settle.'René and Darlene Hunderup (Heste Sport Inc.) bred and own Ella It Is. Working out of their home base, Norse Ridge Farms, in King, Ontario, northeast of Woodbine, the couple has enjoyed great success over the years as breeders and owners of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Parris is the groom. No Time, a daughter of Not This Time out of the Red Ransom mare Count to Three, arrives at the Oaks off a fourth in the Selene (G3).One race prior, on June 1 at Woodbine, the dark bay ran unfettered on the lead as the 5-2 choice in a 1 1/16-mile main track race and crossed the wire four lengths clear of her nearest rival in 1:44.24.'I think No Time is a sleeper,' said Casse, of the filly who has amassed $105,473 in purse earnings. 'I think she has a very good pedigree – both her and Shifty have very nice pedigrees. She is not easy to ride. She is another one that if she is happy, she is going to be tough. Johnny Velazquez is going to ride her for us.'Steadied sharply in her career bow last August when she was eighth, No Time won next time out in a 1 1/16-mile turf race on September brings a record of 2-0-1 from seven starts into her fourth stakes (fourth, elevated to third, in the Cup & Saucer, eighth in the Mazarine (G3), both last year) by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt, and Arika Everatt-Meeuse, No Time was a $250,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Parris is the groom. Shifty, owned by D.J. Stable LLC, debuted on the E.P. Taylor on July 4, 2024, and showed late energy to finish fifth in a field of seven after breaking seven career starts, she sports a 2-0-2 mark ($152,037 in purse earnings), highlighted by an impressive 3 ¼-length win in the 2024 Catch A Glimpse Stakes. Sent off at 11-1, the bay filly drew off with authority to secure her first stakes winning her 3-year-old debut on May 11, Shifty was third in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies foaled in Canada, on June 7.'Shifty is probably the most talented [of the group],' said Casse. 'She has her quirks. If she can settle and get into a good rhythm, she will be tough. She's very talented.'By Medaglia d'Oro out of the Elusive Quality mare Elusive Luci, Shifty was bred by Anderson Farm Ontario Inc. and sold for $350,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale. Bred and owned by Gary Barber, War Signal is 2-0-1 from six starts, accompanied by $98,527 in purse earnings. Fourth in her debut last May, she finished third in the Shady Well Stakes on November broke her maiden in her third start, a dominant 4 ¼-length victory at one mile and 70 yards over the Woodbine main track on December Signal made it two straight winner's circle trips when she posted a 2 ¼-length victory in her 3-year-old debut. Sent on her way as the 6-5 choice, she covered 1 mile and 70 yards over the Gulfstream all-weather surface in 1: bay was seventh in the seven-furlong Ruling Angel Stakes on May 1 at Woodbine and sixth, just two lengths behind the winner Mansetti, when she took on the boys in the 1 1/16-mile Marine Stakes (G3) on June 28.'She ran well in the Marine,' said Casse. 'It was against colts, and I thought she hung in there. She is a horse who I would have said this winter was our best chance to win the Oaks. She disappointed me a little bit in the Ruling Angel, but her race in the Marine was pretty good. She is another one who likes to be up close to the lead.' After a fifth in the Star Shoot Stakes on April 26 to start her sophomore season, Winterberry was back on the winning track courtesy of a strong showing in the had a winning debut last August, a 5 ½-length victory at 6 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track. Next time out, she was sixth in the G1 Summer, at 1 mile on the E.P. Taylor dark bay rebounded with a three-quarter length score in the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes on October 13 and closed out her rookie campaign with a fifth in the six-furlong Shady Well Stakes on November a daughter of Frosted out of the Bellamy Road mare Dreams Are Free, brings a record of 3-0-0 from six starts into the Oaks.'She is interesting in that we thought all along that she was a sprinter,' said Casse, of the filly with $168,030 in purse earnings. 'But she has really matured. She was scratched twice before she ever ran because of her antics. I talked to Patrick (jockey, Husbands) the other day after he worked her, and he told me that she is a different horse. I know that he is excited about her running.'Winterberry may keep going. She is coming into the Oaks better than ever. I am still not 100 percent sure she can get the mile and an eighth, but she is very talented.'Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc., Winterberry was a $210,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland Association September Yearling 'Billy' Forde is the groom. Casse has won the Oaks on four occasions, one shy of the record held by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Jim Day.'With all our fillies, the question is the mile and an eighth,' said Casse, whose latest victory in the race came in 2023 with Elysian Field. 'It's going to be how they settle early. If any of them settle, they are going to run well – they are going to be tough.'Every rider is going to do their own thing. I am not giving any instructions. I think the break is going to be very important, and how each rider can get their horse to settle going into the first turn.'Aristella, last year's Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner, stakes placed Crystal Visions, maiden D'aurum, Innisfree Isle, who broke her maiden last time out, multiple stakes placed Nata Trouble, R Canadian Apple, third in her debut, and Reveler's Row, a first-time out winner, round out the field. The Woodbine Oaks is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, which continues at the Toronto oval with the 1 1/16-mile, $250,000 Bison City Stakes on August 9 and concludes with the $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine inner turf on September 6. First post for Sunday is 1:05 p.m. The wagering menu for the Woodbine Oaks includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, and $1 Swinger. Fans can wager on all the action through and There will be free Woodbine Oaks programs for the first 500 guests on Sunday (one per person). War Signal – Sofia Vives – Mark Casse Nata Trouble – David Moran – Willie Armata Ella It Is – Jose Campos – Mark Casse Innisfree Isle – Fraser Aebly – Catherine Day Phillips Shifty – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse R Canadian Apple – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mike De Paulo Reveler's Row – Pietro Moran – Katerina Vassilieva No Time – John Velazquez – Mark Casse Crystal Visions – Ryan Munger – Stuart Simon Aristella – Rafael Hernandez – Rachel Halden Winterberry – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse D'aurum – Daisuke Fukumoto – Kevin Attard This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Olivia Rose Dominates Ballade Rivals On Front End
Olivia Rose Dominates Ballade Rivals On Front End originally appeared on Paulick Report. Olivia Rose earned her fourth career stakes crown after dominating the $100,000 Ballade on Sunday at Woodbine. Sent off as the 2-1 second choice in the six-furlong race for Ontario-sired older fillies and mares, Olivia Rose, under Rafael Hernandez, glided to the front while 4-5 Little Teddy, riding a two-race win streak, settled into second through an opening quarter in :22.95. Advertisement Olivia Rose was a half-length clear of mutuel choice Little Teddy after a half in :45.53, with the pacesetter looking confident and in control as she rounded the turn for home. At the head of the lane, the daughter of Silent Name (JPN) out of the Malibu Moon mare Malibu Sunrise kicked away from her pursuers, holding a two-length advantage at Robert Geller's stretch call. At the wire, she was 7½ lengths the best. Little Teddy was second, 1½ lengths ahead of Talk to Ya Later. Taquanyah and Silent Sky rounded out the order of finish. 'I like her,' said Hernandez, who swept all three Woodbine weekend stakes, taking the Victoria Stakes with Casson and the My Dear with Border Czar, both on Saturday. 'We wanted to make sure we broke on top and get the pace. Advertisement 'I know he (Austin Adams, aboard Little Teddy) was next to me all the way. I wanted to just get the jump before he was coming and getting closer to me.' Bred and owned by Gabe Grossberg from the Malibu Moon mare Malibu Sunrise, Olivia Rose arrived at the Ballade off a third-place finish at 5½ furlongs on the Toronto oval's main track on May 3, in her seasonal debut. The 4-year-old, trained by Mark Casse, won the 2023 running of the South Ocean Stakes, and last year's editions of the Fury Stakes and Thunder Bay Stakes. With the victory, Olivia Rose is now 5-4-1 from 14 starts. She broke her maiden in her third career start, on August 26, 2023, a 13¾-length stunner going 6½ furlongs on the Woodbine main track. She paid $6.20 for the Ballade win. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Casson Leads In Trifecta For Mark Casse In Woodbine's Victoria
Casson Leads In Trifecta For Mark Casse In Woodbine's Victoria originally appeared on Paulick Report. Casson, under Rafael Hernandez, bested stablemates Jupiter and Rude Procedure and led in a 1-2-3 finish for trainer Mark Casse in the $125,000 Victoria Stakes (L) on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine. Advertisement Earlier in the week, assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan wondered what it would be like to see the Casse trio, all debut winners, go up against one another in their first stakes appearance. Sullivan was undoubtedly pleased with the result in the 5½-furlong main track engagement for 2-year-olds. Rude Procedure and first-time starter Valley of Kings vied for the lead steps out of the gate, but it was Casson, off a step slowly, who would seize control strides before the opening quarter in :22.79. The roan colt continued to lead the way and widened his advantage over Rude Procedure. Hernandez called upon a confident Casson into the turn for home as the duo looked to separate themselves from their pursuers, while Jupiter split foes, looking to track down the free-wheeling frontrunner. Advertisement Ahead by three at the stretch call, Casson glided to the wire a 2 ½-length victor. Jupiter was second, 2¾ lengths ahead of Rude Procedure. Fistfulofmoney was fourth and Valley of Kings was fifth. The final time was 1:04.31. 'He broke a little slow,' said Hernandez. 'He was outside, so he broke a little bit out, and when I tapped him in the shoulder, he started picking up. So, I let him cruise. 'My horse was just kind of waiting for me to start moving there to give me a second gear. I had total confidence.' It was the second straight superlative showing from Casson, who is named after A. J. Casson, a member of the famed Canadian group of artists known as the Group of Seven. Advertisement A son of Caravaggio out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Zee Ro Drop, Casson turned heads after a dazzling debut win on May 11 at Woodbine. Sent on his way as the 3-5 choice, he was in command at every call in the 4 ½-furlong main track maiden special weight sprint, crossing the wire a four-length winner in :52.69. Owned by Manfred and Penny Conrad, and bred by Ballycroy Training Centre & Villa Rosa Farms, Casson was purchased for $200,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was presented by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. He returned $9.20 for the Victoria win. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
National Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Patches O'Houlihan, Canada's reigning horse of the year, euthanized after injury
Patches O'Houlihan, Canada's reigning horse of the year, was euthanized Thursday. Article content Patches O'Houlihan, ridden by Sofia Vives, held off My Boy Prince to win the Grade 2 Highlander by a neck at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday. Patches O'Houlihan was pulled up after the race and left the track in a van for further examination. Article content Veterinarians determined the horse had suffered a soft tissue injury. In a statement issued by Woodbine, owner/breeder Frank Di Guilio said Patches O'Houlihan's condition worsened. Article content 'We consulted with veterinarians and surgeons on an ongoing basis and it was determined surgery was not a viable option for a sustained quality of life,' Di Guilio said. 'We are going to dearly miss watching him run, as will his many fans. Article content 'Patches O'Houlihan was an amazing animal that was beautiful both inside and out. He absolutely loved to race and possessed outstanding heart and desire, and was as honest as they come. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Patches, but we are truly blessed and grateful to be part of such a true champion.
Washington Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Patches O'Houlihan, Canada's reigning horse of the year, euthanized
TORONTO — Patches O'Houlihan, Canada's reigning horse of the year, was euthanized Thursday. Patches O'Houlihan, ridden by Sofia Vives, held off My Boy Prince to win the Grade 2 Highlander by a neck at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday. Patches O'Houlihan was pulled up after the race and left the track in a van for further examination.
