Strut the Course Makes Grade in Maple Leaf
Image:
Description:
Strut the Course unleashed a powerful rally and drew clear to a five-length victory in the $150,000 Maple Leaf Stakes (Can-III) Nov. 1 at Woodbine .
Guided by Luis Contreras, the 4-year-old daughter of Strut the Stage —Bold Course settled off the early pace of defending Maple Leaf winner Moonlit Beauty before unleashing an explosive stretch kick to seal the victory for owner/breeder John Unger and trainer Barb Minshall.
Moonlit Beauty ticked of early fractions of :24.90 and :49.65 under David Moran with Julie's Love and Miss Mischief in close attendance. Moonlit Beauty maintained her lead through the final turn as Julie's Love rallied into contention, but there was no denying the late surge of Strut the Course who covered 1 1/14-miles on Polytrack in 2:02.74.
Lady of Gold came with a run for second money over Julie's Love.
The victory provided Contreras a sweep of the Saturday stakes having captured the Display Stakes earlier on the card with Glenville Gardens.
"She was really relaxed behind horses. I wasn't worried at all," said Contreras of Strut the Course's impressive effort for a breakthrough win in her graded stakes debut.
Strut the Course arrived at the Maple Leaf from victories in a grassy allowance on Aug. 29 and a powerful 7 1/2-length score in the Classy N' Smart Stakes, over the all-weather track Sept. 28.
Minshall was not too worried about the ability of Contreras, aboard Strut the Course for the first time, to settle the improving filly.
"Once he gets on her back and gets outside, she'll settle right down," said Minshall. "Just let her get in behind horses and she'll drop the bit for him."
Strut the Course, bred in Ontario from the Trajectory mare Bold Course, banked $90,000 in victory while improving her overall record to 7-3-2 from 16 starts.
Strut the Course returned $5.80, $3.70 and $3.10, while Lady of Gold paid $16.50 and $9.60. Third-placed finisher Julie's Love, 1 34 lengths behind Lady of Gold, was worth to $5.10 show
Llanarmon was fourth, followed by Miss Mischief, Industrial Policy, Modernstone, Moonlit Beauty, and Allanah to complete the order of finish.
Players Club and Sky High Lady were scratched.