Roxy Gap, a gritty winner of the Whimsical Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine last month, attempts to make it two in a row in the $150,000 Hendrie Stakes (Can-II) May 19.
Eugene Melnyk's 4-year-old Ontario homebred daughter of Indian Charlie drew the rail for the Hendrie, which is contested at 6 1/2 furlongs on Polytrack. Nine older fillies and mares are entered.
Roxy Gap sat just off the pace in the April 22 Whimsical, getting the lead in deep stretch after rallying wide. She edged Honey Chile by a neck in a determined effort while completing the six furlongs in a good time of 1:09.15.
Patrick Husbands retains the mount on Roxy Gap, who will be making her third start of the year for trainer Mark Casse. The bay filly started the season with a third-place finish in an allowance/optional claiming race on the turf at Gulfsteam Park March 19.
With five wins in nine starts and earnings of $473,912, Roxy Gap has been worse than third just once in her career. She'll carry co-top weight of 119 pounds in the Hendrie as the 2-1 morning line favorite.
Also in at 119 is the 5-2 second choice Atlantic Hurricane, who finished third in the Whimsical as the 8-5 pick. The 5-year-old daughter of Halo's Image finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Roxy Gap in her first start of the year.
Stuart Simon trains Atlantic Hurricane, winner of the Seaway (Can-III), Ontario Fashion, and Bessarabian (Can-III) last year over Woodbine's Polytrack. Regular rider Emille Ramsammy is back aboard after missing the assignment in the Whimsical. They break from post. 5.
Anne's Beauty, trained by Paul Attard for owner Roberth Smithen, also totes 119 pounds as the 9-2 third choice. The 4-year-old daughter of Artie Schiller shortens up and returns to Polytrack after finishing fourth in her seasonal debut at Gulfstream in the April 8 Wait A While Stakes on turf. She won the seven-furlong Duchess Stakes at Woodbine last summer followed by a victory in the Ontario Colleen (Can-IIIT) on grass.
Katie Rich Stable's Dr. Diamonds Prize (6-1) steps back into graded stakes company following a front-running optional claiming win at seven furlongs over the Keeneland Polytrack April 6. Mark Hubley trains the 4-year-old Pure Prize filly who is making her first start at Woodbine.
Also in the field are Kitty in a Tizzy (10-1) and Sweet Cassiopeia (8-1), fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Whimsical.
$150,000 Hendrie Stakes (Can-II, Race 8, 4:49 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 4 & Up, 7 Furlongs (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, ML Odds
1. Roxy Gap (ON), P Husbands, 119, M E Casse, 2/1
2. Kitty in a Tizzy (KY), L Contreras, 115, H J Bond, 10/1
3. Dancing Raven (ON), E R Da Silva, 117, M J Doyle, 20/1
4. Dance to the Moon (ON), S Callaghan, 115, M J Doyle, 20/1
5. Atlantic Hurricane (FL), E Ramsammy, 119, S C Simon, 5/2
6. Anne's Beauty (KY), E Wilson, 119, P Attard, 9/2
7. Rashnaa (KY), S R Bahen, 115, R P Tiller, 15/1
8. Dr. Diamonds Prize (KY), J Stein, 115, M Hubley, 6/1
9. Sweet Cassiopeia (KY), J McAleney, 115, B J Minshall, 8/1
Roxy Gap won the Whimsical Stakes by a neck on April 22.
Michael Burns