Lucky Score and Sahin Civaci capture the Highlander at big odds (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Lucky Score, trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, scored top prize in Saturday’s $200,000 Highlander Stakes (G2T), at Woodbine.
It was a cavalry charge for the lead in the six-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up contested over a firm E.P. Taylor Course, with Cadamosto (IRE), Outlaw Kid and mutuel choice One Timer tussling for top spot. Cadamosto (IRE) emerged with a short advantage through an opening quarter in :22.01 as Outlaw Kid, in the middle, and One Timer, to the outside, continued to apply pressure after a half in :44.24.
Rounding the turn for home, One Timer emerged with the lead and attempted to draw from his rivals, but graded stakes-placed Oceanic and graded stakes winner Lucky Score soon came calling, and began their own battle to the wire, with the latter prevailing by a half-length in a time of 1:07.86. One Timer, who arrived on a two-race win streak, was third, and Old Chestnut finished fourth.
“He’s a horse that comes off the pace,” said Sahin Civaci, who one race earlier piloted Casse trainee Solo Album to victory in the $150,000 Selene Stakes (G3). “It takes him a while to get rolling and luckily there was a lot of speed up front today so that helped a lot. It was just about finding the right position and a clear path getting to the wire before they get there.”
It was the sixth career victory in 15 starts for the 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky-Miss Matzo, owned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Pantofel Stable LLC.
“I had a lot of horse,” noted Civaci. “I just needed to get after him a little bit and I saw that the six (Oceanic) was fighting back. He kicked on and he fought good, so we got up front.”
Bred in Ontario by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Lucky Score won his first race since last September when the bay gelding rallied to take the Vigil (G3) over the Woodbine Tapeta.
Souper Dormy, Outlaw Kid, Masseto (GB), Striker, and Cadomosto (IRE) rounded out the order of finish. Silent Poet was scratched.
Lucky Score paid $30.60.
