August 4, 2008
Monday was Civic Holiday in Canada, with Woodbine Racetrack hosting a full card of racing. The feature on the special holiday card was the $300,000 Nijinsky Stakes (G2) for older horses going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. 9-10 favorite Strike A Deal shipped in from Monmouth Park where he finished second by a neck to Presious Passion in the United Nations last time out. Independent George, who was fourth in the same race was the 9-2 second choice on the board over local hope Rahy's Attorney at 5-1, third in an allowance on the Polytrack last out after winning the Connaught and finishing second in the Singspiel on the turf.
After Independent George led the field around the clubhouse turn through a slow 1/4 of 26.62, jockey Jose Lezcano sent Strike A Deal to take over the pacesetting role and slowed the favorite down to easy fraction of 50.59, 1:14.14, and 1:37.31, with Independent George and local hope Seaside Retreat giving chase. Turning for home, jockey Patrick Husbands aboard Seaside Retreat moved out wide for the drive. Seaside Retreat and Strike A Deal battled from the 5/16 to the 1/8 pole, before Seaside Retreat finally shook off the favorite and pulled away to a 1 length victory in a new course record time of 2:00.60, shaving 8/100 off the previous record set last October. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to late-running French Beret third.
Results chart from DRF
