Inish Glora indulged in a little grandstand gazing in the final strides of the $309,000 Canadian Stakes (Can-II), but all eyes were on the bay when she crossed the wire first in the (about) 1 1/8-mile turf event for fillies and mares at the Toronto oval on Sunday.The daughter of Regal Classic, who won for the third time in four starts under a crafty ride from Todd Kabel, managed to keep her eyes on the big prize when it counted most.It was sweet redemption for both rider and mare, as the duo shrugged off a neck loss to Heyahohowdy in last month's Belle Geste Stakes, to take top honors in the 49th running of the Canadian.Pat Day took First Quarter to the front, cutting a quarter-mile clip in :23.93, with Ginger Gold a close second and Inish Glora just back in third. Ginger Gold held a head advantage over First Quarter after a half-mile in :47.08, but Kabel and his charge were a menacing presence as the field rounded the final turn for home.At the wire, Inish Glora was 1 ¾-lengths in front of the late-charging pair of Volga and Diadella. "We just wanted a nice stalking trip and be right there turning for home and that's exactly what we did," Kabel said. "I had all the horse I needed today." Hall of Fame conditioner Mac Benson was thrilled with the effort from the winning pair."The trip in general was pretty much what Todd and I had talked about it," praised Benson.
The final time for the race was 1:44.56 over an E.P. Taylor Turf Course rated as "firm." In victory, Inish Glora, an Ontario-bred, earned $197,400 for owner Robert Costigan. In all, the lifetime winner of six races has bankrolled $543,888.She paid $22.10, $6.20 and $3.50 across the board, combining with favored Volga ($3.30, $2.90) for a $66.80 exacta. Diadella ($2.90) rounded out a $240.20 trifecta.Six-time Canadian figure skating champion Jennifer Robinson made the presentation to the winning connections.(Chart, Equibase)
