Back on her favored Woodbine turf course, Solid Appeal scored a repeat victory in the $196,576 Nassau Stakes (Can-IIT) (VIDEO) May 25 when she edged past upset-minded Why Katherine in deep stretch.
With Jesse Campbell aboard for trainer Reade Baker and owners Jim and Susan Hill, the stalking 5-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal rallied behind a strong pace to get up on the outside by a half-length. She was clocked in 1:33.04 for one mile on a firm turf.
Why Katherine, at 18-1, was second in the field of nine older fillies and mares, with pacesetter Deceptive Vision, the 17-10 favorite, holding third.
Sent off as the second choice at odds of 5-2 in the Nassau, Solid Appeal won for the first time since reeling off three consecutive wins to begin her 2013 campaign. The string included sharp upset tallies in the Nassau as well as the Dance Smartly Stakes (Can-IIT) last July at Woodbine, where she has captured five of eight starts on the grass. She was Canada's champion turf female of 2013.
Campbell, who guided Successful Appeal to both graded scores last season, was pleased with the latest result.
"It's her time of year. She loves the track and was well prepared," said Campbell. "I'm sure she was pointed towards this race and that always helps."
Sam-Son Farm homebred Deceptive Vision was on a three-win streak of her own coming into her stakes debut for trainer Malcolm Pierce. With Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons, she outfought Avie's Sense for the early lead with several others also racing close to the early pace. Those two dueled showed the way, however, through a lively six furlongs, carving fractions of :22.98, :45.16, and 1:08.51. They reached the quarter pole with Avie's Sense a length in front.
Deceptive Vision continued to fight on through the stretch, getting the advantage by half a length at the furlong mark. Avie's Sense began to labor as Why Katherine, ridden by Chantal Sutherland Kruse, closed in on their outside. Solid Appeal, as far back as seventh after a half-mile, had advanced into contention near midstretch, less than two lengths away. She gradually wore down the other two with an all-out effort, getting up in the final strides on the outside under urging from Campbell.
"I thought there would be pace, but I didn't think there would be that much pace," said Campbell. "(Solid Appeal) was in a good spot, so I left her alone and let the race come to her...I had a lot of horse, and she finished well."
Why Katherine finished three-quarters of a length in front of Deceptive Vision.
Bred in Kentucky by Select Bloodstock, Solid Appeal is the fifth foal out of the Woodman mare Star of the Woods. Solid Appeal is a half sister to multiple stakes winner It Tiz and multiple stakes-placed Meetmeinthewoods. The Hills purchased Solid Appeal for $100,000 as a weanling at the 2009 November sale from Select Bloodstock and Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent.
Solid Appeal had made one previous start in 2014, finishing fourth in the Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) on the Polytrack at Keeneland April 18. Her latest victory improved her career mark to 6-2-3 in 19 races for earnings of $539,441.
Shouldering top weight of 122 pounds, Solid Appeal paid $7.40, $4.60, and $3.30 while keying an exacta worth $101.10. Why Katherine, third last out in the Powder Break Stakes at Gulfstream Park April 5 for trainer Kevin Attard, returned $13 and $5.80. Deceptive Vision paid $2.60 to show.
It was two lengths farther back to Savvy Hester in fourth, followed by Surtsey, Avie's Sense, Northern Passion, Queen's Daughter, and Sisterly Love. Meri Shika was a stewards scratch.
Earlier on the card, Conquest Top Gun ($8.10) was declared the winner of the the $128,843 Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds when original first-place finisher Asserting Bear was disqualified and placed third for interfering with Ami's Holiday .
