Corsia Veloce takes fast lane to Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes glory
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TORONTO, September 13, 2025 – Corsia Veloce, under Fraser Aebly, stayed undefeated after another standout performance, this time in Saturday’s Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1T) for 2-year-old fillies, at Woodbine.
The Natalma, a $500,000 turf race contested over one mile of inner turf, is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and entitles the winner to automatic entry in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. That Grade 1, one-mile event will be run at Del Mar on October 31.
Hot Mash popped out of the gate and seized early command, followed by La Culasse, supplemented to the race, Sweet Fusion, Dixie Law and Corsia Veloce through an opening quarter in :23.81 over a firm inner turf.
La Culasse took over the proceedings shortly after the opening panel and led Hot Mash by three lengths after a half in :48.47, while Aebly bided his time with 12-1 Corsia Veloce.
Third hugging the rail coming out the turn for home, Corisa Veloce was then given her cue by Aebly and the daughter of Practical Joke out of the City Zip mare Beth’s Bling split rivals, setting her sights on the leader. A game La Culasse continued to dig in along the rail, while Hot Mash looked to reel in Corsia Veloce, who struck front 70 yards from the line, setting up a three-pronged tussle for all the spoils.
At the finish, Corsia Veloce was a half-length in front of Hot Mash. La Culasse was a further neck back, while slight 6-5 mutuel choice Dance To The Music (GB) settled for fourth. Dyna was scratched.
The final time was 1:37.42.
“She's a very easy filly to ride,” praised Aebly, who earned his first Grade 1 victory. “She does everything right, and she makes you look good.
“This one's very special me, because of the connections. You know, the owners are very special, and so is the trainer. We have a very good connection going on here.”
Under the tutelage of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Josie Carroll, Corsia Veloce rallied impressively last time out to win the $150,000 Catch a Glimpse Stakes, a 6 ½-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies over the E.P. Taylor turf.
“It is so special, and I've trained others in the family, which makes it feel even nicer for all of us,” said Carroll. “It's very exciting. A filly like this, you don't often go three-for-three with a baby like this, and the way she did it so gamely, it just gives you shivers.”
The bay filly, bred (in Ontario) and owned by Glenn Sikura (Hill 'n' Dale Farms) and Mario Serrani, notched a neck score in her debut, a 5 ½-furlong main track sprint at Woodbine on July 6.
“The people at the farm who are forgotten all the time, they do such hard work and such great things, and they love these animals, and this is the greatest sport in the world,” said Sikura. “When you can get a win like this, I tell you, it's made my year."
Corsia Veloce paid $26.50 for the win.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
