I'm a Kittyhawk Flies to Ballade Win

I'm a Kittyhawk added a third stakes win to her record when she pulled a 27-1 upset in the $125,400 Ballade Stakes , the featured event on Woodbine's holiday card May 18.

 

Trained by Robert Crean, the daughter of Tomahawk made her seasonal debut a winning one with a furious rally to take the six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired fillies and mares.

 

Tahnee, with Justin Stein up, sprinted through swift splits of :22.11 and :44.39 with favorite Executive Allure tracking. I'm a Kittyhawk, under a patient ride from David Moran, settled into sixth position in the early running and was urged into motion through the turn as Tahnee continued to lead.

 

Executive Allure and Kay's Grace closed in on Tahnee down the lane, with Kay's Grace briefly assuming the lead, but none could hold off the soaring I'm a Kittyhawk, who got up for a half-length win. Kay's Grace, at odds of 25-1, earned place money by a 1 1/2 lengths over Executive Allure. I'm a Kittyhawk covered six furlongs on Polytrack in 1:09.32.

 

Crean was quietly confident in I'm a Kittyhawk despite the lack of support on the tote board.

 

"She wintered great and she has trained wonderful this spring," Crean said. "Davy rides her like he owns her. I never have to give him any instructions."

 

Bred in Ontario by Marine and Victoria Earle from the Kiridashi mare I'm a Cheetah, I'm a Kittyhawk previously won the 2014 Algoma Stakes and 2013 Lady Angela Stakes, both at Woodbine. Crean campaigns the 5-year-old mare in partnership with Jonathan, Martin, Nicholas, and Victoria Earle.

 

I'm a Kittyhawk ($56.90) banked $75,000 in victory, while improving her record to 5-1-2 from 15 career starts.