Hazelbrook Headlines Bessarabian at Woodbine
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Photo: Michael Burns
Hazelbrook wins the Ontario Fashion Stakes at Woodbine
Hazelbrook , a 4-year-old daughter of Bayern , goes for another graded stakes crown, this time in the Nov. 12 Bessarabian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine.
The 7-furlong main track feature for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and upward, has drawn nine starters, including Hazelbrook.
Trained by Lorne Richards, the True North Stable charge has enjoyed a stellar campaign, a season that includes four wins from five starts, and stakes success in the Hendrie Stakes (G3), the Sweet Briar Too Stakes, and most recently, the Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3).
The bay's other 2022 start was a runner-up effort in the Seaway Stakes (G3) when she finished second to multiple graded stakes winner Lady Speightspeare , who was third in the recent Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland.
"It's been a great year for her," Richards said. "She's been good every start and we're really proud of her."
Bred in Kentucky by Mike Bilbrey, Hazelbrook finished third at 68-1 in her debut in November 2020, a 6-furlong maiden special event race over the Tapeta.
She began her 3-year-old season in style, winning her first two races before finishing eighth in the Duchess Stakes Sept. 25, the final start of her sophomore campaign.
Hazelbrook was back in the winner's circle after her first start of 2022, the beginning of a three-race win streak.
"I liked her from the very start," Richards said. "The only thing is that she's very quirky. She has had issues with her digestive system for a while, so that's something we've had to monitor closely. The clinic in Guelph told me it's kind of like colitis. It's something where you have to take it day-by-day, but there's no denying she has plenty of talent. She can be high-strung, so we do our best. But I'm not going to complain. She shows up every time."
Partnering Hazelbrook with jockey Jason Hoyte has proven to be a winning combination.
"Jason has worked for me for years, galloping, and she was kind of a bad actor. I didn't get a lot of takers wanting to ride her. We finally got her onto the track, and she dumped her rider the first time she was supposed to run, and she ended up getting scratched. But Jason has done a fantastic job with her. I'm just happy for him. He's a good kid and I'm pretty happy for him that he's had that success with her."
The Bessarabian will be the final start of the season for Hazelbrook, who sports a lifetime record of 6-1-1 from nine starts.
"She deserves it. She's had a great year, but she can be hard on herself. She's pretty easy to rate and she goes when you ask her. You can't knock her at all."
Mark Casse sends out the duo Beyond Mybudget and Our Flash Drive . Fellow conditioner Saffie Joseph, Jr. has Artie's Princess and Allworthy entered.
Woodbine, Saturday, November 12, 2022, Race 8Entries: Bessarabian S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Artie's Princess (ON)
Jose L. Ortiz
124
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
5/2
2
2Sweet Enough (GB)
Emma-Jayne Wilson
120
Roger L. Attfield
20/1
3
3Hazelbrook (KY)
Jason Hoyte
123
Lorne Richards
3/1
4
4Lorena (ON)
Rafael Manuel Hernandez
122
Stuart C. Simon
15/1
5
5Beyond Mybudget (ON)
Declan Carroll
120
Mark E. Casse
8/1
6
6Our Flash Drive (FL)
Patrick Husbands
122
Mark E. Casse
7/2
7
7Awesome Treat (KY)
Jose Luis Campos
120
Steve Attard
20/1
8
8Loyalty (FL)
Luis Contreras
120
Josie Carroll
6/1
9
9Allworthy (KY)
Kazushi Kimura
120
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
8/1
