Big smile for Sarah Lynx in Canadian International

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Sarah Lynx, the only filly in the field, took command at the top of the stretch and went on to capture Sunday's $1.5 million Canadian International at Woodbine Race Course. The four-year-old covered the 1 1/2-miles in 2:34.90 on a turf course listed as yielding.

The victory by the four-year-old gives her automatic entry into next month's Breeders' Cup Turf. Also putting themselves into the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs were Regally Ready who won the six-furlong $500,000 Nearctic Stakes on the turf and Miss Keller taking the $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4-miles on the grass, All three races are part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Sarah Lynx was sent off as a 22-1 longshot in the 16-horse field. Defending winner Joshua Tree was 11-1 and the 7-2 co- favorites were Quest For Peace and Treasure Beach.

Setting the pace from the break was Kara's Orientation with Bronze Cannon second and Sarah Lynx racing in 10th. On the final turn Sarah Lynx advanced along the inside and moved to the front entering the stretch.

The filly quickly took the lead and opened her advantage with a furlong to run. The Irsih-bred surged down the grass course to post a four-length win over the late running Joshua Tree.

Treasure Beach held on for third followed by Arctic Cosmos, Quest For Peace, Musketier, Redwood, Mores Wells, Laureate Conductor, Celtic Conviction, Kara's Orientation, Rahystrada, Simmard, Mikhail Glinka, Miami Deco and Bronze Cannon.

"For a filly to win like that here you know it is phenomenal, really," said Kate Bradley, assistant to trainer John Hammond. "Credit goes to Christophe (jockey Soumillon) because he knows the filly very, very well. He's got great partnership with her and my boss also, John (Hammond). We are just over the moon. He's (Soumillon) the best. He's the king."

Owned by Mrs. Robert Ehrnrooth, Sarah Lynx notched her third career win in 11 starts. The filly adds $900,000 to her bankroll which now stands at $1.1 million.

"This is the third time she's had blinkers on because before she was a bit lazy," noted the winning jockey. "So with those on, I saw she was not pulling at all in the race. She was really relaxed. I was quite confident."

Sarah Lynx returned $46.90, $21.40 and $13.80. Joshua Tree paid $12.30 and $8.40, and Treasure Beach paid $4.10 to show.