Pipit and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Victoria Stakes on July 16, 2023, at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
TORONTO, Ont. –The $200,000 Algonquin, part of a stellar Sunday stakes showcase at Woodbine, highlighted by the $750,000 Canadian International (G1T), has attracted seven 2-year-olds, including Kevin Attard trainee Pipit.
The Algonquin, formerly the Ontario Racing Stakes, covers five furlongs on the Toronto oval’s inner turf, and goes as race six on the 11-race card.
A daughter of Quality Road-Browse, Pipit, owned by X-Men Racing 3, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC, arrives at her latest test off an eye-catching win in the 5 ½-furlong Victoria Stakes, over the Woodbine Tapeta, on July 16.
Under Patrick Husbands, the bay, sent off at 9-5, made a strong move at three-furlongs marker and glided to the front en route to a four-length score in 1:03.60.
A $75,000 (U.S.) purchase at the 2022 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale, Pipit debuted on June 3 at five panels on the Tapeta and finished second to 29-1 winner Crafty Oaks.
“We’ve liked this filly from day one,” said Attard. “I thought her debut was pretty good, but obviously her second start was outstanding. She made a really sharp move around the 3/8ths and then drew off with authority. She came out of it really well too.”
Attard, who has 725 career wins, likes the way his rookie filly is heading into the Algonquin.
“It’s a new surface and a big step up, but she’s given us every indication that she’s able to handle whatever comes her way. She’s a very versatile filly. She’s been training very well and we’re hoping she’s going to take another step forward.”
Beresford Lee is the groom.
Attard will also be represented by Rhapsody, supplemented to the Algonquin by the same ownership group as Pipit. The daughter of Goldencents-Strum is 1-0-1 from three starts. The dark bay was bred in Kentucky by John Gunther.
The groom is Shane Springer.
Other starters include multiple stakes-placed Dancing Duchess and 2023 Soaring Free Stakes winner, Golden Canary. Both fillies are trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse.
Field for the Algonquin
Post position – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Rhapsody (S) – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard
2 – Lodge Hill – Trevor McCarthy – Matt Douglas
3 – Dancing Duchess – Javier Castellano – Mark Casse
4 – Pipit – Kazushi Kimura – Kevin Attard
5 – Rock to Fame – Leo Salles – Abraham Katryan
6 – Split Strike – Dylan Davis – Christophe Clement
7 – Sugar Treat – Sofia Vives – Mark Casse
8 – Golden Canary – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse
PLEASE NOTE: As part of SECRETARIAT’S 50th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT presented by the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, jockey Eddie Maple, who was aboard “Big Red” in the 1973 Canadian International, will be signing on autographs on the third floor at Woodbine, from noon-2 p.m. this Sunday.
