Il Malocchio and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the La Prevoyante Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
By Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO, Ont. – Il Malocchio, who has developed a penchant for heating up in cold weather, made it consecutive stakes wins after taking Saturday’s $100,500 La Prevoyante, at Woodbine.
Trained by Martin Drexler, the bay arrived at the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta event for Ontario-sired fillies, 3-year-olds and up, off an outstanding effort in the 1 ¼-mile Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes on November 12.
Her encore performance was just as impressive.
Lorena crossed over from the outside post nine to take the lead as the field passed the wire the first time but was quickly overhauled by 33-1 Swinging Mandy. A group of others, including Il Malocchio, were in tight heading into the first turn, but all managed to settle into stride without incident.
Swinging Mandy, on top by 2 ½ lengths after a quarter in :24.30, and followed by Lorena, Strega, Lady Moonshine and Il Malocchio, then stretched her lead to three lengths through a half reached in :48.16. Sahin Civaci, aboard Il Malocchio, kept the daughter of Souper Speedy running unimpeded in fifth.
Strega, who struck front into the turn for home, was quickly confronted by Il Malocchio in early stretch, who then sprinted past her rival and never looked back.
Ahead by 1 ½ lengths at the stretch call, Il Malocchio bested late-closing Silent Causeway by 4 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:44.86. Strega finished third and Golden Vision was fourth.
“On the first turn, I had a little bump there, but nothing serious,” said Civaci. “Overall, my trip was really nice. Just like Marty said, I guess she likes the cold. She was feeling good post parade and I was pretty confident.”
As was Drexler, who is enjoying a career-best campaign.
“She’s going to get a little break now and then we’ll figure out next year,” said Drexler, of the 4-year-old who now sports a mark of 4-6-3 from 20 starts for owner and breeder Franco Meli. “She was doing well, and I think this is a little bit easier company, so I liked her a lot today. She was really calm and just cool and collected.”
Drexler and Civaci have become one of Woodbine’s most formidable trainer-jockey combinations, something the rider noted after the race.
“I would like to thank Marty because he’s been my biggest supporter from day one and he’s been putting me on really nice horses, so I’m very appreciative of that.”
Il Malocchio paid $4.70, $2.80 and $2.50, combining with Silent Causeway ($3.40, $3.10) for a $13.80 exactor. Strega ($8.10) completed a triactor worth $193.50, while a $1 superfecta with Golden Vision came back $429.60.
Live racing resumes tomorrow. Sunday is the final day of the 2022 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet with first post at 12:55 p.m. for the 14-race card. The feature is the Steady Growth Stakes.
