Fashionably Fab and David Moran take the Ontario Matron (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – Fashionably Fab, under David Moran, rallied late to take the Grade 3 $150,000 Ontario Matron, for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.
Moran, who got the call from trainer Kevin Attard, after the former’s son, apprentice Pietro Moran, was injured in a spill at Fort Erie on Tuesday, delivered a perfect ride on the dark bay daughter of Silent Name (JPN)-Flashy’s Legacy.
Solo Album, under Frankie Dettori, took early control of the proceedings, taking her 13 rivals through an opening quarter of :23.62 in the 1 1/16-mile main track event, with Ro Town, another Attard pupil, settling into second to the outside. Libban and Sand and Sea were next, in third and fourth, respectively. Fashionably Fab was tenth.
Solo Album was still on top of the charts through a half in :48.13, while Fashionably Fab sat twelfth.
Heading into the turn for home, Solo Album was still on top, but Fashionably Fab, along the rail, had already navigated her way into contention and was given her cue in early stretch by Moran.
The pair pounced on the pacesetter and struck front in early stretch. Ahead by a half-length at the stretch call, Fashionably Fab was able to fend off an inside bid from Elysian Field to win by a length. Blueberry Fields rallied to finish third, a half-length in front of Solo Album.
The final time was 1:43.84.
“I was riding this for Pietro,” said Moran, who wore a yellow riding cap with his son’s name embroidered on it. “He was out there with me. He called me before the race, told me exactly how to ride her. So, it was basically him riding the horse. I just steered her around. But she was amazing. She traveled nicely, kicked very strongly to the head of the lane, and you know, Pietro was behind her.
“It’s amazing just to be riding with him this year. I can’t describe the feeling of it, and then just to watch him turn into the rider and person that he is, he’s just a great kid and a natural rider. And as Kevin will tell you, he’s a hard worker and deserves everything he gets. He’ll be back from this in no time, and he’ll be back at it.
“The surgery went well, and the doctors were very happy with it. So, he just has to recover now, and we have to take that as it comes.”
Attard thanked owner and breeder Terra Racing Stable for their support.
“First, they gave Pietro an opportunity, when he was a young apprentice, early in his career, to get on her and ride her in the graded stakes (Grade 3 Belle Mahone), and she won. And today, I just thought it was really fitting if we gave dad a try on this one for Pietro.
“The filly is just a wonderful filly. And this one’s for you, buddy. Can’t wait to see you back here.”
It was the ninth win, to go along with three thirds from 15 starts for the 4-year-old, who won five straight races, all stakes, from September 12, 2023, to June 1, 2024.
Fashionably Fab paid $15.80 for the win.
