Summer Sunday Sails Home in Royal North Stakes
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Photo: Michael Burns
Summer Sunday wins the Royal North Stakes at Woodbine
It was business as usual July 21 for Anne and William J. Scott's Summer Sunday, who took home her third win of the season with a strong performance in the CA$196,000 (US$150,430) Royal North Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine.
The six-furlong sprint proved a small challenge for the daughter of Silent Name who bested five other fillies and mares under strong handling by Rafael Hernandez.
The early speed in Sunday's race, Summer Sunday broke a touch slow from the gate to be headed by Veil, who led the first quarter-mile. Finding her spot on the rail, the 4-year-old filly recovered quickly to issue an early challenge for the lead, coming on even terms with Veil on the backstretch.
In command as the field turned for home, Summer Sunday shook clear of Veil and began to edge away. Ruby Notion made a short-lived four-wide bid exiting the turn but could not get enough momentum to threaten.
Angled out midstretch, Summer Sunday was asked for more and held sway to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time over 1:08.26 over turf rated firm. Magic Spell split horses down the center of the lane to take second, one length ahead of Oleksandra in third. Patton's Girl, Veil, and Ruby Notion completed the order.
"I'll tell you, we've been working that from two races ago and she's been showing everything she can do, you know, relaxing good," said Hernandez. "I know the race was going to be tough, but I know whoever's going to beat me, they had to run faster. She's just a nice horse, good horses run anywhere. She found the turf was not bad for her."
Summer Sunday's prior stakes wins this year came on the Woodbine all-weather track. The Stuart Simon trainee broke through in graded company June 9, winning the Hendrie Stakes (G3) by 1 1/2 lengths. Prior to that, she took the May 11 Ballade Stakes over the Royal North distance.
"It's getting a little scary, she's got a little streak going," said Simon. "She's just so genuine, she's been a gift. She'll just do whatever you want of her. She's just got such a fantastic head on her that she knows when it's go time. She just naturally does things that you need her to do to be successful."
Summer Sunday has won seven of her nine starts, including black-type victories at 2, 3, and 4. Her earnings now total $469,616.
Bred in Ontario by Trinity West Stables, Summer Sunday is the third foal out of the Millennium Allstar mare Dancing Allstar and is a half sister to stakes winner Trini Brewnette. She was purchased by the Scotts for US$72,485 from the Woodlands consignment to the 2016 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale.