Russell J. and Lois Bennett's homebred Touching Promise took control early and never looked back, rolling to an easy victory in the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes (Can-III) at Hastings Racecourse for the second consecutive year. Video: Ballerina S. (G3)
Sent off at 7-2 odds despite being the defending champion and coming into the race off two consecutive stakes wins at the track and at the Ballerina distance of 1 1/8 miles, Touching Promise left the gate just behind 2-1 favorite Lady Rosberg.
It wasn't long before Touching Promise took over af three turns, approaching the second of three turns while being chased by Lady Rosberg through a moderate 1:12.28 for six furlongs on a sloppy track. Keeping up her momentum into the stretch under Amadeo Perez, Touching Promise strode on out to the wire, widening her lead with every stride to win by 4 1/2 lengths.
The final time was 1:49.78.
Winning for the sixth time in 27 starts, 24 of which were at Hastings, Touching Promise paid $9.00, $4.50, and $2.90. Locket kicked in late to get second for the fifth straight time in stakes company, returning $4.60 and $2.60. Lady Rosberg held third, paying $2.40.
Touching Promise, a Touch Gold mare trained by Barbara Heads, was a front-running winner of the British Columbia Cup Distaff and Delta Colleen handicaps in her two most recent outings.
The Ballerina marked the end of a long and distinguished career for Gallyn Mitchell, Hasting's all-time leading rider who was aboard Lady Rosberg and had earlier announced his retirement effective Oct. 12.
