Laura Krasauskaite lands first stakes win in La Prevoyante / Artie’s Storm reigns supreme in Steady Growth
Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
TORONTO, December 4, 2021 – Laura Krasauskaite earned her first training stakes win courtesy of Silent Causeway in Saturday’s $100,800 La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine.
After some early drama in the 1 1/16-mile main track event for Ontario-sired fillies, three-year-olds and upward, Silent Causeway was full of run late to deliver herself and her trainer-owner a milestone victory.
Sent off as the 9-2 third choice in the field of 10, Silent Causeway was at the back of the pack into the first turn when some jostling between two rivals required some quick manoeuvering from jockey Justin Stein, aboard the daughter of Silent Name (JPN)-Good Religion.
It was Silver Dahlia and Summer Sunday, along with a host of others, who tussled for the early lead, with the former holding a head advantage over the latter through an opening quarter-mile timed in :24.23, with Silent Causeway sitting last.
Summer Sunday, the multiple stakes-winning champion contesting her final race before heading to Ireland to become a broodmare, then took over top spot and guided her rivals through a half-mile in :47.72, as Silent Causeway moved into ninth spot.
November Fog, the slight 2-1 choice, engaged Summer Sunday around the turn for home and soon struck front while Stein had his charge rolling down the lane.
.jpg "Silent Causeway and Justin Stein power down the Woodbine homestretch to capturing the La Prevoyante Stakes. (Michael Burns Photo)")
Fourth and gaining at the stretch call in 1:38.59, Silent Causeway, runner-up in last year’s Algoma Stakes, went on to notch a two-length victory in a time of 1:45.62. November Fog was second, and Golden Vision was third. Summer Sunday was fifth.
“Going into the first turn, there was a little bit of trouble for a horse in front of me,” started Stein. “It almost unseated the rider and I had to kind of anticipate maybe riding around a spill, but we adjusted and worked out a trip from there.”
There was no drama or doubt as to the winner in the latter stages of the La Prevoyante.
“She’s got a lot of talent and a lot of heart,” said Stein. “When she comes over, she’s happy. She’s really effective. She shows up every time.”
Krasauskaite was understandably elated to record her first stakes win.
“This is amazing… I’m still shaking. I can’t believe that I won a stakes race. It was so close last year, so close, but this year we finally did it. Closing the season with a stakes win is an amazing feeling.”
The multiple stakes placed conditioner wasn’t concerned with the ground Silent Causeway, bred by Michael Deegan, had to make up.
“I was very positive. Looking at her and seeing how she runs, I knew we’d be coming.”
Silent Causeway, now 3-5-1 from 15 starts, paid $11.50 for the win.
.jpg "Artie's Storm and jockey David Moran were picture perfect winning the Steady Growth Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)")
In other stakes action, Artie’s Storm took the $101,200 Steady Growth, for three-year-olds and upward, also contested at 1 1/16-miles on the Tapeta.
It was the second straight stakes score for the dark bay son of We Miss Artie-Tiz Stormy Now, who came into the Steady Growth off a victory in the Lake Ontario Stakes on November 19.
“He’s a lovely horse,” said winning rider David Moran. “He always tries. He’s been running in tough races all year. Back-to-back stakes for him and he won going away today. I was afraid I was having to move a little soon, they went quick up front, and I just wanted to get out from behind that wall before they stopped, and he picked up and ran right through the wire.”
The winning margin was 1 ¼-lengths. Full Extreme was second, and Magical Man finished third. Argentium was scratched.
The final time was 1:44.04.
Owned and trained by Paul Buttigieg, Artie’s Storm, bred by Sunrise Farm, is now 4-2-3 from 10 starts.
He paid $7.20 for the win.
Live racing resumes tomorrow – Sunday is the final day of the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet – with the first post at 12:55 p.m. The feature is the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes.
.jpg "A celebratory fist pump for Justin Stein as he captures the La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)")
.jpg "David Moran returns Artie's Storm to the winner's circle after capturing the Steady Growth Stakes at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)")
Lindsay Bax