Gary Barber's 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou returned to the winner's circle for the first time since that breakout year May 29 in the $200,000 Nassau Stakes (Can-IIT) at Woodbine. Video: Nassau S. (G2T)
After stalking the pace in third through most of the one-turn-mile turf test with jockey Patrick Husbands aboard, the 5-year-old daughter of Sligo Bay outfinished Mark Casse stablemate Mississippi Delta in the final sixteenth to win by three-quarters of a length.
Mississippi Delta appeared to be in control at the top of the stretch, when she held a 1 1/2-length advantage but was no match for Lexie Lou late. Strut the Course, the Canadian champion older female of 2014, closed from sixth to finish third, a neck back.
Moon Rainbow set the pace, with fractions of :23.07, :45.26, and 1:08.89 through six furlongs, before Mississippi Delta covered seven in 1:20.62. Lexie Lou finished off the mile in 1:32.98 on firm turf.
"She's a funny filly," Husbands said. "You've got to play with her mind. You've got to let her do what she wants to do. Last time when I rode her, nobody wanted the lead, and she took the lead and quit. She's happy to be back home. She's a nice filly. She's a little champion."
It was Lexie Lou's first victory since October of 2014, six starts back, when she won the Autumn Miss (gr. IIIT) at Santa Anita Park. The same year, she won the Woodbine Oaks, Queen's Plate, and Wonder Where, all at Woodbine, to earn Canadian Horse of the Year honors.
Off at 12-1 in the field of nine, Lexie Lou paid $26.50, $9.20, and $5.10 across the board. Mississippi Delta brought $7 and $4.60, and Strut the Course delivered $2.80 to show.
Moon Rainbow gamely held to finish fourth, 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner, followed by favorite Stormy Victoria, Uchenna, Dyna's Recoleta, Fuscetta, and London Tower to complete the order of finish.
