London Tower Game in Eternal Search

London Tower dug in gamely down the lane to turn back the challenge of Galina Point and win the $125,400 Eternal Search Stakes July 29 at Woodbine.

The homebred daughter of Head Chopper, owned and trained by Steve Owens, broke slowly in all three of her starts this meet, but overcame the issue to secure her third stakes win in the Eternal Search, a 1 1/16-mile Polytrack event for Ontario-sired sophomores.

The talented bay rallied from last of eight to win the Fury Stakes in her seasonal debut May 3, but could not bridge the gap after difficult starts in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, when second, defeated 1 3/4-lengths by Academic, and last time out in the $250,000 Bison City Stakes, when third, a nose and a neck behind Brooklynsway and Eternal Search rival Galina Point.

Gary Boulanger took over from Alan Garcia aboard London Tower for the Eternal Search and the filly broke alertly to chase a front-running Ashford Calling into the turn, while being carried a little wide by Internal Bourbon.

Ashford Calling set splits of :23.77 and :47.50 through a half-mile, with Boggie, Internal Bourbon and London Tower, the even-money favourite, tracking her early from the rail out. Galina Point, second choice in the wagering at 2-1, ran last of nine.

Internal Bourbon, with Garcia aboard, burst through along the rail approaching the turn, with London Tower making a similar outside move to overtake the pacesetter, as Galina Point, with Patrick Husbands up, also urged into contention. London Tower took command at the top of the lane and was quickly taken on by Galina Point who tried, but could not get by a determined London Tower. Miss Sea rallied late for show money.

London Tower, a neck winner, stopped the clock in 1:44.41.

Boulanger wasn't worried about losing ground into the first turn.

"(Garcia and Internal Bourbon) parked me out in the first turn, which I expected. I knew I had lots and wasn't too concerned," Boulanger said. "I figured at the three-eighths pole, the race would really start from there. I was in great position and it was just a matter of when Galina Point was coming.  When Patrick came to me at the head of the lane, she dug in and wouldn't let her by me."

Owens, who stands Head Chopper at his farm in Kleingburg, Ontario, had considered sending London Tower to the grassy Wonder Where Stakes, the third jewel of the filly Triple Tiara, but decided on the Eternal Search as a potentially easier spot.

"This was for confidence. I know she's as good as a lot of the 3-year-old fillies on the grounds and tonight she proved it," Owens said. "She's a hard tryer. She fights every step of the way. She broke well tonight. We've had some gate issues with her, but that's her... she gets stubborn."

Out of the Military mare Mrs. Donaghy, London Tower banked $75,000 in victory, while improving her record to 4-1-2 from seven starts for total earnings of $360,004. She paid $4, $2.30 and $2.10, while Galina Point brought $2.70, and $2.40 with Miss Sea paid $3.50.