Unheralded Northern Kraze pounced on pacesetter Roses 'n' Wine in deep stretch to win the $247,919 Wonder Where Stakes, the final leg of Canada's Triple Tiara series for 3-year-old fillies contested on the Woodbine lawn July 26.
Tenth in the Woodbine Oaks on Polytrack June 8, Northern Kraze woke up in her previous start when returned to the turf, breaking her maiden at one mile for trainer Mark Frostad, who co-owns the Aljabr filly with her breeder, Anderson Farms. In the Wonder Where, she was sent off at odds of 15-2.
“She’s turf and proved it today,” said co-owner Bob Anderson. “We tried her on the Poly and she really didn’t want any part of it.”
Anderson, who bred the filly, said the victory was special.
“It’s very special. I’ve been friends with (Frostad) since we were kids,” he said. "Early on, he said this filly is special.”
The bay filly showed flashes of ability on the turf as a 2-year-old. In her second career start, she finished a close fourth against colts and geldings, defeated by just one length in the Cup & Saucer.
In the Wonder Where, Roses 'n' Wine, a 15-1 shot. set a pedestrian pace (:25.38, :50.23, 1:15.49) for Tyler Pizarro while alone on the lead over the yielding course. Northern Kraze, ridden by Chantal Sutherland in a stalking position, and the front-runner separated themselves from the 12-horse field of Canadian-bred fillies after one mile and fought it out down the lane. Northern Kraze, running all out, got control in the final 40 yards to register a three-quarters of a length victory. The winning time was 2:06.78 for the 10-furlong distance.
Frostad said Northern Kraze won’t be returning to the synthetic surface.
“We’re not going to go back to the Poly,” he said. “Chantal did a great job relaxing her. She came on strong at the end and ran a great race.”
It was 10 1/2 lengths back to Money My Honey, who finished third as the 3-1 favorite under Patrick Husbands.
The Ontario-bred Northern Kraze, who is out of the Dayjur mare Baraha, boosted her bankroll to $235,296 in eight starts. The victory was worth $147,105.
She paid $17.20, $8.60 and $5.80. Roses 'n' Wine returned $1.6.50 and $9.40, completing a $2 exacta worth $265.20. Money My Honey was $3.40 to show. The $2 trifecta was $1,428.40.
(Chart, Equibase)
Northern Kraze outfinishes Roses 'n' Wine to take the Wonder Where.
