In victory, Heyahohowdy earned $77,775 for S.V.G.B. Stable and now has $255,104 in lifetime earnings.She paid $5.60, $3.20 and $2.40 across the board, combining with Spanish Decree ($4.60, $2.40) for a $20.40 exacta. Ariel's Melody ($2.50) rounded out the $46.90 trifecta.(Chart, Equibase)
Heyahohowdy proved she's much more than a catchy name, romping over five rivals in Sunday's $129,625 La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine in a stellar 5 3/4-length win by the dark bay daughter of La Prevoyante Stakes.It was sweet redemption for the Norm DeSouza trainee, who saw her three-race win streak snapped after a third-place finish in the Eternal Search Stakes on July 31 at the Toronto oval. The Ontario-bred now has four wins, one second and one third in six career starts.Sent off as the mutuel favourite, DeSouza was expecting a strong effort from the 3-year-old."She was a little bit tired after her last race, so we wanted to give her some time off and prepare her properly for this one," said DeSouza, who has two stakes triumphs on the campaign. "I was worried because we had never run on soft turf, but she came up big today." Heyahohowdy initially broke sixth from the gate, as Patrick Husbands roused Light the Path to an early lead. The Reade Baker trainee cut the opening quarter-mile in :23.37. Jockey Shane Ellis then guided his charge to the fence and held a narrow head lead at the half (:47.84).The duo widened to a five-length advantage in the stretch, crossing the finish line on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course in a time of 1:40.59. The track was rated "soft".Ellis, who picked up his second stakes score of 2002 (both aboard Heyahohowdy), was thrilled."I didn't hear anyone coming, I was just looking at how far they were behind me," said Ellis, who hand-rode Heyahohowdy throughout the final stages of the event. "I didn't really want to ride her too hard."