The first stakes race on Woodbine Mile day is the $300,000 Canadian Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8 mile trip on the turf for older fillies and mares. A field of eleven went to post here, with Diana Stakes winner Forever Together sent off as the 4-5 favorite over 6-1 second choice and local hope Sealy Hill, winner of the 2007 Canadian Triple Tiara exiting an allowance win last time out. 7-1 J'ray, winner of the Matchmaker at Monmouth last out, completed the top three on the toteboard.
Stroke the Tiger battled on the pace with Quiet Jungle and The Niagara Queen through fractions of 25.24, 49.83, and 1:14.05. Through the stretch, the pace collapsed, setting the race up for the closers. Callwood Dancer, who was fifth early, took over the lead at the 1/8 pole after a mile in 1:38.86, but J'ray, who was at the back of the field after 6 furlongs, came out three wide for the drive and closed with a rush, taking over inside the 1/16 pole and drawing off to a 1 length victory in 1:51.86 over the yielding course. It was another 2 lengths back from Callwood Dancer to late-running favorite Forever Together third.
Results Chart
