Loyalty takes command and wins the Hendrie (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Loyalty put on another stellar showing, this time in Saturday’s $150,000 Hendrie Stakes (G3), a 6 ½-furlong Tapeta sprint for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, at Woodbine.
Trained by Josie Carroll for owners Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods, Loyalty, a 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun-Slew’s Quality, was making her second start of the year after a 3 ¼-length win on June 25 to kick off her 2023 season.
The duo of Clitheroe (GB) and Hard Edge dueled for the early lead, as Loyalty was positioned along the rail in third through an opening quarter reached in :22.92. The frontrunners continued their front-end tussle while Kazushi Kimura, aboard the even-money choice, was content to watch the proceedings from just off the pace.
Around the turn, Miss Speedy loomed a menacing presence to the outside, but Kimura and Loyalty came charging along the inside and took command just after the stretch call.
At the wire, Loyalty was a 2 ½-length winner in 1:15.61. Clitheroe (GB) was second and Talk to Ya Later rallied to best Miss Speedy by a head for third.
“I would say that she was the best in the field,” praised Kimura. “She’s quite easy to ride. She was able to stay close and also if there’s space, she’s able to go in the lead. There were so many options for me. She was feeling comfortable, so comfortable behind the frontrunner. She was able to take a step outside and find a hole and just showed me an amazing race. It was perfect.”
Bred in Florida by Best A Luck Farm LLC and Godolphin LLC, the dark bay is now 6-0-1 from eight starts. Her victories include the Lady Erie Stakes at Presque Isle last August, and the Duchess Stakes last October at Woodbine.
Loyalty, who debuted with consecutive victories in the spring of 2022, both at Woodbine, paid $4.30 for the win.
Live Thoroughbred racing resumes at Woodbine on Sunday with first post at 1:05 p.m. Four stakes, including the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser and the $150,000 Plate Trial, share the spotlight on the 11-race card.
