Wyomia made her first stakes appearance a winning one, upsetting odds-on choice Delightful Mary in the $225,470 Mazarine (Can-III) (VIDEO) at Woodbine.
Sent off at 7-2 in the 1 1/16-mile Polytrack test for 2-year-old fillies, the Dan Vella trainee led every step of the way, easily fending off her rivals to secure the victory by 2 ¾ lengths over 1-2 choice and previously unbeaten Delightful Mary. Poof Too finish third.
In the Kentucky-bred’s third career start, Wyomia traveled the distance in 1:43.92 under Emile Ramsammy.
The daughter of Vindication, who came into the race off a 5 ¼-length maiden-breaking score over the Woodbine Polytrack on Sept. 19, took the five-horse field through opening splits of :24.10 and :48.28.
Aboard the filly for the third time, Ramsammy kept his charge relaxed before asking for her best around the final turn. She responded in fine style as Delightful Mary attempted in vain to put together a bid in the stretch for jockey Corey Fraser.
Owned by Beverly Anderson and breeder Ed Seltzer, Wyomia launched her career in a seven-furlong turf race at Woodbine, finishing fifth to New Normal on Aug. 28.
“She probably handles both surfaces very well,” said Vella, who saddled Knights Templar to victory in the 2005 Mazarine. “Her first start, she just needed a race. She was looking around. She’s showed her class since then.”
The victory could see Wyomia contest the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Churchill Downs Nov. 5.
“I still believe there was a little more in the tank,” offered Vella. “I think she was playing at the end. She’s a really good filly.
“That’s (Breeders’ Cup) a little too far ahead for me to think about right now. We really haven’t made any plans yet.”
The victory was worth $133,502 to the winning connections.
Wyomia paid $9.40, $3.10 and $2.10, combining with Delightful Mary ($2.40, $2.10) for a $19 exactor. Poof Too ($2.30), ridden by Patrick Husbands, completed a $36.70 trifecta.
Idratherbeatthespa and Ghostly Darkness trailed. Anne's Beauty was scratched at the gate.
