First Clockwise Trial Held on Woodbine Turf

Seven horses sprinted five furlongs out of the gate, clockwise, on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course the morning of May 16 as a trial run for Woodbine's EuroTurf Series slated to start in June.

Up to 40 races will be contested clockwise on Woodbine's expansive turf course throughout the 2016 season. By running races clockwise, more of the turf course will be utilized, allowing for more turf races at Woodbine.

Charles Fipke's Internal Bourbon, trained by Roger Attfield and ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson, crossed the wire first in the EuroTurf trial in 1:01.96 on a course rated yielding. Hidden Turn was second and Zazinga third.

"I don't know if we can label it the first official winner, but we can definitely call the day a success," Wilson said. "Internal Bourbon is a nice filly. I was confident in her. Everyone was safe and we've all learned a little more about moving forward with this. I'm pleased with how it turned out."

Wilson noted that the short run to the turn will be a test of agility for horse and rider.

"It's a different kind of turn and you have to make sure your horse is prepared for it," Wilson said. "In the early portion of the race, you can't shoot them forward too quick. That run to the turn is the shortest run we'll use, but it seemed like we had plenty of room."

Emile Ramsammy, rider Zazinga, enjoyed the right-handed experience, in particular the run down the hill toward the stretch run.

"I did feel a different bounce coming down the hill onto the shorter stretch," Ramsammy said. "I thought the horses all handled it well. This morning, the riders didn't ride as aggressive as we will in the afternoon, so it will be a little different for sure."