Owlette First Black-Type Winner for Frac Daddy

Owlette was the first to win for freshman sire Frac Daddy  two months ago, and July 27 she became her sire's first black-type winner with a gate-to-wire victory in the $125,000 Shady Well Stakes for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine. 

With Patrick Husbands aboard for her second consecutive win, the Wesley Ward-trained filly established the lead from the inside post and was prompted throughout the 5 1/2-furlong affair by Take Charge Eh under David Moran. She led her rival through panels of :22.66 and :45.86 en route to victory in 1:04.42 on a fast track.

"Every time I'd get alone, she started pricking her ears and listening," Husbands said of David Mowat's precocious filly. "The more David (Moran) came, the more she pinned her ears.

"Every time I'd go about a length in front, she'd quit running, so it's good that he pushed me along and I got the job done."

Owlette was the 2-1 second wagering choice and paid $6.30 to win. Take Charge Eh finished a half-length behind in second and was followed by favored Curlin's Voyage in third. 

Bred by Michael Byrne out of the American Chance mare Itstartswithadream, Owlette was a $7,500 purchase from Byrne's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by agent Ben McElroy. She ran second at first asking April 17 at Keeneland, then moved to the all-weather track at Woodbine to win two in a row.

Grade 2 winner Frac Daddy, a son of Scat Daddy out of the Skip Away mare Skipper's Mate, was retired to stallion duty in 2016 at Park Stud in Ontario for a CA$4,000 fee, which has remained the same through four seasons.