Miss Speedy lives up to her name in the Ballade under Sahin Civaci (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Miss Speedy, under Sahin Civaci, rocketed away from her rivals down the lane to take the $100,000 Ballade Stakes on Saturday at Woodbine.
The 5-year-old daughter of Souper Speedy-Miss Dorothy came into the six-furlong main track event for Ontario sired fillies & mares, 4-year-olds and upward, having gone winless in her past three starts.
On this day, however, she was at the top of her game for owner Gary Barber.
Ol’ Blondie, riding a two-race win streak, broke sharply and took the lead as Civaci placed Miss Speedy, the 7-5 choice, just off the pacesetter through an opening quarter reached in :22.57.
Miss Speedy was a head in front of Ol’ Blondie after a half-mile in :45,07, with Gamble’s Silver, also having won two straight, settled nicely into third and 2-1 second choice Artie’s Princess sitting fourth.
Ahead by a length at the stretch call, the Mark Casse trainee zipped away from the pack to an easy 2 ¾-length score in a time of 1:09.07. Gamble’s Silver, at 19-1, was second, while 29-1 Talk to Ya Later came running late to secure third.
“She’s honestly just an easy horse to ride,” said Civaci. “You can sit off with her, you can take the lead. She’s an honest horse and she tries really hard and that’s what matters. So, I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’m getting. I thank Mr. Casse and Mr. Barber for letting me get on these nice horses.”
After an off-key 10th in the Inside Information Stakes (G2) to launch her 5-year-old campaign in January, Miss Speedy was then second to Our Flash Drive in the Whimsical (G3) on May 13. The dark bay came into the Ballade off a fifth in the Pink Lloyd Stakes on June 4.
Bred in Ontario by Linda Mason, it was the second stakes win for Miss Speedy ($4.90), who won the 2021 Duchess Stakes at Woodbine. She is now 5-1-1 from 12 lifetime starts.
Ol’ Blondie, Souper Flashy, Souper Pecan, Diamond Crush, Artie’s Princess, Pleasure’s Gold, and Sacred Dancer rounded out the order of finish.
Live racing continues Sunday at 1:10 p.m. The feature race is the $100,000 Alywow Stakes.
