Fashionably Fab comes out on top in the Eternal Search (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Fashionably Fab, a 3-year-old daughter of Silent Name (JPN)-Flashy’s Legacy, fought every step of the way to eke out a narrow victory in the $100,000 Eternal Search Stakes Presented by bet365, Sunday at Woodbine.
The race for Ontario-sired fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, was run at 7 ½ furlongs on an inner turf listed as “good.” Miss Speedy, the 2-1 morning line choice, was scratched.
It was an early, multi-horse scramble for the lead with Breathing Fire and Fashionably Fab eventually emerging one-two into the first turn, followed by Pleasure’s Gold and Talk to Ya Later.
Breathing Fire was a half-length clear of Fashionably Fab, to her outside, through an opening quarter in :23.16, and maintained that advantage through a half in :47.16.
The duo began to draw away from their pursuers as they rounded the turn for home, which set the tone for a compelling tete-a-tete to the finish line.
Breathing Fire, to the inside, was a head in front at the stretch call, but neither filly gave an inch with the wire drawing closer. After a photo finish, Fashionably Fab, who was contesting her first grass engagement, emerged with a nose nod over a game Breathing Fire. Talk to Ya Later was third and Taquanyah finished fourth.
The final time was 1:30.67.
“I knew she won, but throughout the race, Emma [jockey, Wilson, aboard Breathing Fire] had a decent filly,” said Husbands. “I was watching the whole way. Emma had so much horse and my horse was happy. Emma’s horse would not give up, but she got the job done.”
The Eternal Search was the third stakes score for the Kevin Attard trainee, who is now 5-0-2 from nine lifetime starts for owner and breeder Terra Racing Stable.
“We were confident, obviously with her pedigree, her being by Silent Name, that she should like the grass,” said Attard. “We weren’t sure how much cut was into the turf with the rain we’ve had but obviously she looked pretty good out there today.
“It was tight, very tight, but she’s just an honest horse, obviously had a good campaign last year as a 2-year-old. It’s just nice to see her come back now in her sophomore campaign.”
Fashionably Fab, the 5-2 choice, paid $7.40 for the win.
The race is named after the three-time Canadian champion, purchased at age two for $50,000 by 2010 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Mel Lawson, who raced her under his Jim Dandy Stable banner. Eternal Search retired from racing with 15 stakes victories and posted a record of 18-11-2 from 44 starts. She was trained by Ted Mann, who became a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1982.
