Marketing Mix, under a patient ride from jockey Patrick Husbands, sprinted down the rail to capture the $262,415 Wonder Where Stakes at Woodbine July 31 (VIDEO), the final jewel of Canada's Triple Tiara series.
The 1 1/4-mile turf event, for 3-year-old fillies foaled in Canada, produced a 4 3/4-length romp by Marketing Mix, a dark bay daughter of Medaglia d'Oro -Instant Thought, by Kris S. The Ontario-bred filly competed in all three legs of the Canadian series, finishing third in the Woodbine Oaks - Presented by Budweiser, June 5; and fourth in the Bison City Stakes July 3.
Hoi An, piloted by David Moran, led the field through early splits of :25.21, :48.80, and 1:12.52, with favored Spooky Kitten and Isabella Bay keeping a close eye. Marketing Mix, who raced eighth early and was along the rail down the backstretch, waited ever-so-patiently for a signal from Husbands.
Moran, having notched reasonable fractions, would guide Hoi An to the quarter pole before Husbands received an energetic response from his charge. Marketing Mix blazed a path along the rail through the stretch, drawing away from the field to win under a hand ride. Spooky Kitten, ridden by Edgar Prado, dug in gamely for second, 3 3/4 lengths the better of Hoi An.
The running time over a firm course was 2:01.21.
The Wonder Where marked the second victory for the Glen Hill Farm silk-bearer from six lifetime starts. Bred by Sean Fitzhenry, Marketing Mix earned $156,945.
Trainer Tom Proctor provided his jockey with helpful instructions for the filly's first turf start.
"I breezed her going into the Oaks and she was a very aggressive filly. Today, the word from the trainer was to get her to relax and put her behind horses," said Husbands. "We drew the outside (post) and she was relaxed the whole way. She was never aggressive."
Husbands was appreciative of his charge's effort.
"Down the lane, she gave me everything she could have given me," he said.
Third pick Marketing Mix paid $11.50, $5.10, and $4.30, combining with 5-2 choice Spooky Kitten ($4.60, $3.80) for a $43.40 exacta. Hoi An paid $11.50 to show and the trifecta was worth $743.10.
Bison City winner Bear It's Time finished fourth, followed by Niigon's Touch, Mendocino Beano, Bear Memory, Thistoo Shall Pass, Grand Style, and Isabella Bay.
Marketing Mix wins the Wonder Where Stakes.
Michael Burns