Kate's Kingdom Rallies Late to Land Ontario Matron
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Photo: Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo
Kate's Kingdom prevails over Our Flash Drive in the Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine
Armando De La Cerda could have taken an easier route with Stephen Screnci’s Kate's Kingdom , running against a far softer field in the Oct. 26 H.B.P.A Stakes at Presque Isle Downs, but instead, the filly rewarded her trainer's ambitions with a stirring victory in the 1 1/16-mile, CA$152,800 Ontario Matron Stakes (G3) Oct. 22.
The 4-year-old daughter of Animal Kingdom made one previous start at Woodbine in Aug. 13 Trillium Stakes (G3), where, after a troubled trip, she circled the field to claim third at odds of 22-1 under Antonio Gallardo.
Saturday, Gallardo moved the filly from last into striking contention down the backside, and out of harm’s way as the field swung for home.
Closely tracking a pace of :23.96, :48.39, and 1:11.57, even-money favorite Our Flash Drive , returning to the Woodbine synthetic main track for the first time since capturing the 2021 Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3) as a 3-year-old, seized command at the top of the lane.
The Mark Casse trainee appeared a winner until Gallardo and Kate’s Kingdom, who had launched their bid just behind Our Flash Drive, found a second wind at the eighth pole, collaring the leader in the final strides before the wire.
Kate’s Kingdom ($18.40) hit the wire in a time of 1:41.94. Our Flash Drive was a half-length behind in second with Casse stablemate Broadway Lady completing the trifecta.
Bred in Kentucky by Midwest Thoroughbreds, the winner is out of the Don't Get Mad mare Don'tgetmadalexis .