Jean Elizabeth Rockets to Victory in Whimsical Stakes

Odds-on favorite Jean Elizabeth shot to the lead and never looked back June 21 in the CA$128,800 (US$94,656) Whimsical Stakes (G3) at Woodbine, posting her eighth consecutive stakes victory.

Ridden by David Moran in the six-furlong sprint, Jean Elizabeth carved out fractions of :22.36, :44.78, and :56.99 as she opened up a 2 1/2-length advantage in the stretch before hitting the wire in 1:09.86 under a strong hand ride. Painting, off at 14-1 odds, was involved in a bumping incident at the outset and was settled in midpack before rallying on the outside, but came up a length short of the winner. Summer Sunday, Canada's reigning champion female sprinter, chased the winner most of the way and finished third.

Jean Elizabeth, a 5-year-old Illinois-bred daughter of Adios Charlie  trained by Larry Rivelli, paid $3.40, $3.10, and $2.20 while posting her 15th victory in 21 starts, with six placings and earnings of $662,786. The mare is owned by Rivelli, Richard Ravin, and Patricia's Hope. Produced from the Lit de Justice mare Rooney Doodle, the mare was bred by Rivelli and Ravin.

"She's a rocket," Moran said of the mare, who returned to the Canadian oval where she won two stakes last year to launch her win streak. "I wasn't expecting her to be that quick with her ears pricked down the back."

Moran noted the speedy mare was just toying with her rivals.

"She just pricks her ears, and I think she just waits for a bit of company to go on again," he said.

Moran, the father of nine children whose wife, Maria, is expecting in the coming weeks, took a moment after winning the first graded stakes of the meet to thank his kids for their Father's Day cards and gifts and gave a shout-out to his own dad back home in Ireland.

He also dedicated the race to a special horseman who died recently.

"I want to give a special mention today to Frank Forde, the backbone of horse racing here at Woodbine, one of the grooms who passed away suddenly last week," Moran said. "I'd like to dedicate this race to him."

Also on the Sunday card, Jason Hoyte, a longtime, respected exercise rider, celebrated his first Canadian win as he guided 3-year-old filly French Charm ($3.30) to a maiden-breaking score in the first race.

"It means so much to me. It's just a blessing come true. Hard work does pay off," Hoyte said.

Hoyte began his riding career in Barbados in 2000 and arrived in Canada in 2004. He eventually became the go-to morning rider for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse for 16 years, breezing some of the biggest stars of the sport, including Hall of Famers Tepin and Sealy Hill, in preparation for the biggest races.

Hoyte, who was inspired by his friend and fellow jockey Keveh Nicholls to return to racing, made just his 13th start a winning one.