Indian Apple Is, rallying seven wide into the stretch, got up in the final yards to take $181,355 Ontario Fashion Stakes Oct. 31 at Woodbine.
Scoring for the third time in six starts this season, the Robert Tiller trainee finished a half-length in front of pacesetting Waccamaw with Chantal Sutherland aboard. Shukriya was third. There were 10 Ontario-bred fillies in the race.
Frank Di Giulio Jr.'s 4-year-old homebred Indian Apple Is covered six furlongs over Polytrack in 1:09.76.
"I thought it might not be far enough for her," said Tiller, commending Sutherland for the effort. "If she can get to the outside, she can get a horse rolling down the lane. Everything worked out perfect."
Indian Apple Is was seventh after a half-mile as Waccamaw, ridden by Patrick Husbands, showed the way through brisk fractions of :21.62 and :44.36. Closing on the grandstand side, Indian Apple Is would not be denied, inching away at the wire. Shukriyam, also closing on the outside, finished a neck back in third at odds of 29-1.
A three-time stakes winner, Indian Apple Is was coming off a second in the Seaway Stakes (Can-III) Sept. 4. By Indian Charlie--Domasca Bella, by Domasaca, she has strong broodmare potential. Tiller said no decisions had been made on her future other than the date of her next race.
"She's worth some serious money," Tiller said. "We're going on to the (Bessarabian) stakes in two weeks at seven-eighths. That'll be perfect for her."
Indian Apple Is boosted her record to 6-for-14 and increased her earnings to $509,191 with the $117,636 payday.
The third choice, she carried co-top weight of 119 pounds and returned $10.90, $5, and $3.70, combining with Waccamaw ($6.70, $5) for a $94.90 exacta. Shukriya ($11) rounded out a trifecta worth $1,473.90. A $1 superfecta with Mullins Beach fourth returned $2,240.80.
Favored Qeyaada finished last.
