Full Count Felicia takes on other heavy hitters in Grade 2 Canadian Stakes
TORONTO, August 8, 2024 – Full Count Felicia, a 5-year-old daughter of War Front, will contest her fifth consecutive graded affair when she goes postward in the $200,000 Canadian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T), Saturday at Woodbine.
Owned by Gold Square LLC, the well-travelled mare will get her second straight opportunity to navigate the E.P. Taylor turf, after a fourth last time out in the Nassau (G2T) on June 29.
Trained by Kevin Attard, Full Count Felicia is doing well ahead of the 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up.
“She came out of the last race in good order,” said Attard. “I thought she dug in and fought hard in the Nassau. When you look at her form, you see a lot of races where she didn’t throw the towel in. You can see that in her demeanor – she has that competitive streak in her.”
Over a 16-race career, Full Count Felicia has raced at 10 different racetracks, a list that includes engagements at Belmont, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Colonial Downs, and Tampa.
Her graded stakes dance card features the 2021 Demoiselle (G2), and the 2023 edition of the Goldikova (G2T).
The bay mare’s biggest victory came in the Suwannee River (G3T) last December at Gulfstream.
Sent off as the even-money choice, Full Count Felicia, under the tutelage of trainer Britney Russell, entered the mile turf event for fillies and mares on a three-race win streak.
She came to the Attard barn off a sixth in the Endeavour (G3T) this February.
“When you look at her body of work, it is impressive,” said Attard. “One thing that stands out is her ability to adapt to new surfaces and new track layouts. I think having that race under her saddle here at Woodbine helped her a lot.”
Attard, who won back-to-back editions of the Canadian, in 2018 and 2019, with the accomplished turfer Starship Jubilee, appreciates the versatility Full Count Felicia brings to the plate.
“She can be up front or come from out of it,” he noted. “That gives you a lot of options depending on how the race shapes up. If there is a lot of early speed, she can sit a trip, and if there isn’t a lot of pace, she doesn’t mind being on the lead or close to it. You appreciate that well-rounded talent.”
Bred in Kentucky by Joseph Allen, LLC, Full Count Felicia is out of the Irish-bred Galileo mare Claire de Lune. Joe Hardoon, agent, bought her for $200,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where Julie Davies consigned her.
Attard will also send out multiple stakes winner Fashionably Fab, whose standout resume includes a victory in the Belle Mahone Stakes (G3) on June 1.
Bred and owned by Terra Farms, Fashionably Fab’s 2023 campaign produced four wins and a third from seven starts.
The 4-year-old daughter of Silent Name (JPN)-Flashy’s Legacy arrives at the Canadian off a strong third-place performance, a neck back of the winner, in the Trillium Stakes (G3) on July 20.
“It was a game, determined effort, which is exactly what we have come to expect from her,” praised Attard.
A Sovereign Award finalist in the Champion 3-year-old female category, Fashionably Fab is 8-0-3 from 13 starts, accompanied by $405,090 (U.S.) in purse earnings.
“She is a wonderful filly,” said Attard. “She is consistent, full of heart and is the epitome of talented.”
Pietro Moran once again gets the call.
Another Attard trainee, Moira, Canada’s 2022 Horse of the Year, is cross-entered in the Beverly D. (G2T).
“With her, wherever and whenever she races, you always know what to expect, and that is a heart and soul effort,” said Attard, of the 2022 King’s Plate winner. “She continues to amaze us all.”
Multiple graded stakes winner Mission of Joy, and Libban are also cross-entered in the Beverly D.
First post for Saturday is 1:05 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com.
Canadian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Forever Dixie (S) – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
2 – Millie Girl – Ryan Munger – Catherine Day Phillips
3 – Full Count Felicia – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard
4 – Forever After All – Adam Beschizza – Brendan Walsh
5 – Elysian Field – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse
6 – Five Towns (GB) – Frankie Dettori – Graham Motion
7 – Moira – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard
8 – Star Fortress (IRE) – Jose Ortiz – Cherie DeVaux
9 – Mission of Joy – Frankie Dettori – Graham Motion
10 – Fashionably Fab – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
11 – Libban – Edgard Zayas – Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
