TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Ace Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands guided Stormcast to victory in the $250,000 Bison City Stakes for Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies on Saturday at Woodbine.
After being difficult to load, it was smooth sailing for Stormcast in the second race in the Canadian Triple Tiara series.
Under Husbands, Stormcast, leaving from post eight of nine, was hustled out of the gate and into the lead as stablemates Dancing Duchess and Lunch With Bernie sat second and third, respectively, as the field navigated the first turn.
Stormcast, at 6-1, was 2 ½ lengths in front of Dancing Duchess through an opening quarter in 23.92 and then held a one ¼ length advantage over Hurricane Clair through a half in 47.17.
Kin’s Concerto, winner of the Woodbine Oaks (first race in the Canadian Triple Tiara), was fifth. In contrast, stablemate Ontario, a flashy debut winner, was eighth after being bumped from both sides and checked in the early going.
Heading into the turn for home, Stormcast and Husbands were in complete control as Sahin Civaci, aboard a game Hurricane Clair, looked to engage the pacesetter.
Coming out of the turn, the Mark Casse trainee, under no duress and looking every bit in charge, began to draw away from Hurricane Clair. Ahead by four lengths at the stretch call, the dark bay filly continued to distance herself from her pursuers, notching a seven ¾-length triumph. Hurricane Clair finished second, four ¼ lengths ahead of Dancing Duchess. My Girl Della rallied for fourth.
“Seven furlongs out, which is the first turn, she shot right off, gave me her ears, and she was just playing with them,” said Husbands.
“She showed she was all class.”
The final race of the Canadian Triple Tiara, the $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes, at one ¼ miles on the E.P. Taylor turf, is set for September 8.
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