Katie’s Grace. (Michael Burns Photo)
Woodbine Release
TORONTO, ON – The $150,000 Mazarine Presented by Ketel One, a 1 1/16-mile main track test for 2-year-old fillies, will mark the second start and first stakes test for Katie’s Grace.
Trained by multiple graded stakes winner Catherine Day Phillips for Chivalry Thoroughbred Racing LLC and Hubert Vester, the daughter of Independence Hall out of the Kitten’s Joy mare Bella Joy had a winning debut on September 27 at Woodbine.
After veering out at the start, Katie’s Grace settled into stride, racing mid-pack in the seven-furlong maiden special weight main track race for 2-year-olds. A half-length back of the leader at the stretch call, Katie’s Grace edged away late for a half-length score in 1:25.13.
“She had always trained very well, and we thought she would like a distance of ground,” said Day Phillips. “Based on that, we didn’t want to start her in shorter races, so we waited for the seven-furlong race.”
Bred in Ontario by Northern Dawn Stables and Sandy Giffen, the bay filly caught Day Phillips’ attention early on.
“She is a very nice horse. She is feminine, fast, and spicy and all the good things in a young filly. We have always really liked her. Everything she has done, she has done very easily. The approach has been to let her mature and develop in her own time.”
Katie’s Grace posted a trio of works in the leadup to the Mazarine, including a four-furlong breeze in :47.80 over the main track on October 18 and a five-panel move over the same surface on October 25.
Ryan Munger was aboard for the latest breeze.
“They seem to get along quite well,” said Day Phillips, who has 46 career stakes victories, 14 of them graded. “She worked five-eighths in company with Lapin de Plage, who is a nice filly in her own right. They worked well together. Katie’s Grace went on for the five-eighths.
“Katie’s Grace was on the inside and kicked on in the breeze. She went in 1:01.20 and she was happy to do it. She seems to be very ratable in the mornings, which is very handy when stretching out in distance.”
Katie’s Grace was an $80,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training.
“She is a nice 2-year-old, but I think she will be even stronger and better as a 3-year-old,” said Day Phillips.
Dave Foster and Norris Ellis are the grooms.
First post is 1:05 p.m. Fans wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.
The wagering menu for the Grey includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) and $1 Swinger. The wagering menu for the Mazarine includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8), 0.20 Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9) and $1 Swinger.
