August 13, 2011
On Saturday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack, a field of 6 two-year-old fillies went to post in the $150,000 Ontario Debutante Stakes. Tu Endie Wei, a half-sister to Canada's 2010 Horse of the Year Biofuel, was sent off as the 3-10 favorite in this 6 1/2 furlong Polytrack sprint off her debut victory in the My Dear Stakes. In to challenge her included 6-1 second choice Northern Passion, winner of her debut in maiden company last out, and 7-1 third choice Runfor Ro, second in her first two starts, a maiden race in May and the My Dear in June.
Runfor Ro went to the lead exiting the chute and she set fractions of 23.59 and 46.78 while being stalked by Tu Endie Wei to her outside. Entering the turn, jockey Jim McAleney asked Tu Endie Wei to challenge and she easily passed the pacesetter, getting 3/4 in 1:10.27. Northern Passion, 5th early, came out 4 wide into the lane and closed well but Tu Endie Wei easily held her off to win by 1/2 a length in 1:16.53. It was a long 4 1/2 lengths back to pacesetter Runfor Ro third.
