Loon Cry and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Sweet Briar Too Stakes on August 3, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Loon Cry, under Sahin Civaci, rallied to take Saturday’s $125,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at Woodbine.
Trained by Christophe Clement for owner and breeder Waterville Lake Stables, the 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready-Final Escrow has taken a shine to the E.P. Taylor turf after recording her second straight score on the world-renowned course.
One race after her winning Woodbine debut, Loon Cry delivered her first stakes score on familiar ground courtesy of a come-from-behind triumph in the six-furlong feature for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.
I’m Into Mischief got away sharply from the rail, but was soon overtaken by Miss Vyvyanne, who set the tone through an opening quarter in :22.23 over firm ground, while Loon Cry sat last of 10 in the early going.
Miss Vyvyanne was one length clear of I’m Into Mischief after a half in :44.92, but several runners came calling as the long drive to the wire was set to commence.
A host of hopefuls arrived on the scene in early stretch, as Civaci had Loon Cry rolling seven-wide. Second and gaining at the stretch call, the duo then struck front and went on to secure a one-length win in a time of 1:09.11. Blind Spot was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Queen Macha, while Gastown Babe finished fourth.
The rider of Gastown Babe claimed foul against the winner, but it was disallowed by the stewards.
“I spoke with Mr. Clement this morning,” said Civaci. “And you know, it’s a horse that comes off the pace, so that’s what we decided on, coming off the pace today. There was quite a bit of speed throughout the race.
“I was just sitting comfortably at the back watching everything unfold and when it was time, I angled her out, and she kicked on. She was drifting in a little bit, but I was clear of everybody. And she finished up strongly.”
Just as she did one race prior when she took all the spoils at seven panels over a firm turf on June 15. She has now won consecutive starts on two occasions, the first time coming at Belmont (May 27 and July 8) last year.
Bred in New York, Loon Cry is now 6-3-2 from 13 starts.
Loon Cry launched her career with a pair of races – the first coming in December 2022 – at Aqueduct, finishing third and second. After a runner-up effort at Belmont in her following engagement, she broke her maiden in her fourth start.
She paid $5.10 for Saturday’s win.
