Juveniles Hope to Make the Grade in the Grey, Mazarine

Nine 2-year-olds, including impressive first-time winner Haddassah, are set to contest the CA$125,000 Grey Stakes (G3) at Woodbine on a Nov. 22 card that includes the CA$125,000 Mazarine Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies.

Bred and owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling, Haddassah, a bay son of Air Force Blue , didn't fly under the radar in his curtain-raising effort Nov. 1.

Trained by Kevin Attard, the Ontario-bred went off as the 9-5 choice in the one-mile, 70-yard main-track maiden special weight event, a race that was originally scheduled for the turf.

Under Justin Stein, Haddassah improved from seventh at the quarter-mile mark to second at the stretch call, going on to record a half-length score in 1:42.50.

"The farm in Kentucky liked him as a baby, then as he got to Kevin, from day one, he has liked him," Al Ulwelling said. "He had more leg than his brother and sister—just a taller, better-balanced horse. What stood out to us most was if he was fit enough, and he was."

Stein, who has 125 wins (as of Nov. 18) this season and sits atop the Toronto oval jockey standings, was impressed by Haddassah's debut.

"He really showed a determination to beat his company in his first lifetime race," Stein said. "He ran like a true professional."

The Ulwellings would like to see a carbon copy of that effort in Haddassah's second start.  

"Haddassah had trained really well heading into his first start," Attard said. "It was nice to see him transfer that into his debut. He was very professional and looked impressive graduating. He has come back to work well in the interim, and we're hoping to see him take another step forward Sunday."

The same connections will also send out Stephen, a son of Constitution .

Bred by Trackwest Racing, the Ontario-bred colt broke his maiden in his most recent start, the Coronation Futurity, Nov. 1 at Woodbine.

After an eighth to launch his career Aug. 30, Stephen finished second in his next start, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race Oct. 4.

"Stephen has really taken a step forward since his career debut," Attard said. "Going into his second start, we thought he'd run a big race and he did. He had some traffic trouble but closed really well to run second. In the Coronation, he ran a similar race but was able to get by and win. He's a colt that has a great mental attitude and is very easy to ride. We're excited to have two nice Canadian-breds."

Mark Casse will present the one-two punch of Helium and Easy Time in the Grey Stakes.

Owned by D. J. Stable, Helium deflated his competition in both of his starts, including a 4 1/4-length romp in the Display Stakes Oct. 18 at Woodbine.

"Where (the Grey and Mazarine) are situated in the calendar—especially the Grey—is going to make this one a really good race," Casse said. "In the past, we would run the Grey (earlier). I don't know who else is going to go in there, but we're going to run two really good horses."

A victory by Helium would certainly stamp him as a legitimate contender—along with grade 1 winner and fellow Casse pupil Gretzky the Great—for Sovereign Award 2-year-old male honors.   

Casse's other trainee, Easy Time, a dark bay son of Not This Time , was exceptional in taking his debut Oct. 25 at Woodbine.

Sent off as the slight 7-5 choice, the colt, bred by Breeze Easy, converted a midstretch bid into a 2 3/4-length win. Easy Time covered the seven-furlong Toronto oval Tapeta test in 1:23.92.

"He was extremely impressive in his first start. He's by one of the best young freshman sires in North America. And now, we're going to run him two turns for the first time. I think Easy Time will give Helium a run for his money."  

British Royalty, Lucky Score, Barrister Tom, Lomaki's Gem, and Gospel Way complete the field.

Souper Sensation, Sleek Lynx Could Give Casse Eighth Mazarine

Casse, who has seven Mazarine titles, has two opportunities to add to that impressive total with Souper Sensational and Sleek Lynx.

Owned by Live Oak Plantation, Souper Sensational has lived up to her name over two starts, including a fantastic four-length display in the Glorious Song Stakes Oct. 17 at Woodbine.

Sent on her way as the 3-5 choice, the chestnut daughter of Curlin  widened her advantage down the lane, going on for the easy score in a time of 1:21.84 over seven furlongs on the Woodbine Tapeta.  

Three weeks earlier, Souper Sensational broke her maiden at first asking with a 2 1/4-length win, also at seven furlongs, in a time of 1:23.54 in a maiden special weight.  

"We decided not to go to the Breeders' Cup with her," Casse said. "She's been very impressive so far in her couple of races. We feel like her pedigree says she should be able to stretch out. She's coming out into it well. She had a nice breeze, but it wasn't so much what she did during the breeze, but what she did after it. She galloped out really strong. Every indication says she should get two turns. But until you try it, you don't know." 

Sleek Lynx, owned by Gary Barber, will contest her fourth race and second stakes. 

The dark bay daughter of War Front  who finished fifth in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) Sept. 20 broke her maiden last time out, a 1 1/4-length victory over six furlongs on good going on the Woodbine turf.

Il Malocchio, Do You Love Me, Batyah, Army Wife, and Designer Ready complete the field.