Jessie Ladouceur's Paladin Bay sparkled in her second stakes win of the year, holding back strong bids from runner-up Splashy Gizmo and favorite Lexie Lou in the $141,705 Ontario Lassie Stakes Dec. 14 at Woodbine (VIDEO).
The 2-year-old daughter of Sligo Bay tracked Lexie Lou from second early, no more than 1 1/2 lengths back, before gamely moving to take charge into the far turn. Momentarily shaking free of Lexie Lou, who doggedly pursued, she led the 7-10 favorite by one length in early stretch and was under stiff urging from Gerry Olguin to secure the victory along the inside.
Trying to complete a last-to-first rally in the six-horse field, Splashy Gizmo bid two wide late on the turn and closed on the outside to challenge the two front-runners. Edging past Lexie Lou late, she missed by a just neck to take second behind the winner, a nose in front of Lexie Lou.
Trained by Harold Ladouceur for his wife Paladin Bay was timed in 1:47.62 for 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack. She was sent off the 2-1 second favorite.
Paladin Bay broke through for her maiden win in her sixth career start when trying two turns for the first time Sept. 14 at Woodbine. Off for about six weeks afterward, she returned to defeat Lexie Lou in the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth Stakes Nov. 2 at Woodbine and provided her trainer with his first career stakes win.
She subsequently finished second to Lexie Lou in the South Ocean Stakes Nov. 24 at the Toronto track and also finished third to that opponent in August in the Muskoka Stakes at Woodbine.
Paladin Bay paid $6.30, $3.40 and $2.10 for the win, while improving her career line to 3-3-2 from nine lifetime starts and $361,888 in earnings. Splashy Gizmo returned $5.90 and $2.90, with the 3-6 exacta paying $39.80. Lexie Lou, another Sligo Bay filly, was ridden by Gary Boulanger and paid $2.10 to show .
Bred by Ericka Rusnak out of the Stormin Fever mare Stormin Wife, Paladin Bay was bought by her trainer for $10,139 out of the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consignment at the 2012 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society yearling sale.
