Elysian Field. Michael Burns
Gives Trainer Casse to a Podium Sweep
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Gary Barber and Team Valor International LLC’s Elysian Field returned to winning form courtesy of a determined score in the $150,000 Seaway Stakes (G3) on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.
It was stablemates Olivia Rose, to the outside, and Stormcast, the 9-5 mutuel choice, who charged to the front early in the seven-furlong main track feature for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up. Fellow Mark Casse trainee and defending Seaway champion Ticker Tape Home sat third, and Elysian Field settled into sixth through an opening quarter in :22.42.
The Casse trio continued to show the way – in the same order – through a half in :44.68, as Pietro Moran, aboard Elysian Field, began to make steady gains with a five-wide move mid-way through the turn for home.
With less than 220 yards to run, Elysian Field struck front, as Ticker Tape Home and Stormcast looked to re-rally to her inside, while A Little Frisky skimmed the rail looking to get into the mix.
Elysian Field arrived at the wire a one-length winner. Ticker Tape Home was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Stormcast. A Little Frisky was fourth. Weigh the Risks was scratched.
The final time was 1:21.87.
“Obviously, there was a lot of speed in the race,” said Moran. “I was just trying to get her out, get her in a good spot where she was comfortable. We were in a great spot. And when I called upon her, she fired.
“She’s versatile,” continued Moran. “I mean, you’ve seen her record. Her talent speaks for herself.”
Supplemented to the Seaway, the 5-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of the Smart Strike mare Elysian is now 5-6-0 from 16 starts, returned to the races off an eight-month layoff on July 11, finishing ninth at Colonial Downs.
Bred by Anderson Farms Ont. Inc., the chestnut was the 2023 Woodbine Oaks winner and King’s Plate runner-up that same year.
Elysian Field was a $70,000 purchase at the 2022 OBS Company June Two-Year-Olds & Horses of Racing Age Sale.
She paid $9 for the Seaway win.
