Live Lucky rolls into Lake Superior in winning form / Just Follow Me looks to lead the way in the Thunder Bay
TORONTO, August 1, 2024 – A pair of Ontario-sired 3-year-old turf stakes, the $100,000 Thunder Bay, and $100,000 Lake Superior, share the spotlight on Sunday at Woodbine.
Established in 2021, the Ontario Sired Heritage Series is comprised of three $100,000 legs and a $100,000 final for two divisions: 3-year-old colts & geldings, and 3-year-old fillies. The total purse structure for the series is $800,000.
All three legs and the final are contested over different distances and surfaces: the Woodbine Inner Turf Course, the Woodbine E.P. Taylor turf, the Woodbine all-weather track, and Fort Erie dirt track.
In addition to the $400,000 in purses for each division, there is $70,000 in bonus money allocated to the top point earners in each division at the end of the series.
Seven hopefuls, including unbeaten Live Lucky, will vie for top prize in the $100,000 Lake Superior, to be contested at six furlongs over the E.P. Taylor turf.
Trained by Kevin Attard for Exline-Border Racing LLC, Michael Jawl, and Aaron Kennedy, the son of Perfect Timber won his debut, a five-furlong sprint on the Woodbine inner turf on June 9 and followed it up with a victory at the same distance and on the same surface in the Lake Huron Stakes (part of the Ontario Sired Heritage Series) on July 7.
“Obviously, everyone connected with him is very happy with those first two races,” said Attard, who will also send out Zippy Gizmo in the Lake Superior. “I thought both were excellent efforts.”
The dark bay’s career bow saw him come from off the pace to record a 3 ¾-length triumph in a time of :56.88 over firm going. In the Lake Huron, the victory, in :56.59, was earned in a decidedly different fashion.
“In his first race, he came from off the pace and in his latest, he took control by the half,” noted Attard. “To see him win in different ways was very impressive.”
The multiple graded stakes winning trainer felt his rookie was able to learn something from both efforts.
“When it comes to young horses, you want to see them build on what they bring to the table. His first race was very nice, and he stepped up his game in the Lake Huron last time.”
Live Lucky breezed five furlongs over the main track in 1:00.40 on July 28 in preparation for his latest test.
“Now, he has another challenge and hopefully, he can step up again.”
Bred by Charles Fipke, Live Lucky was a $55,000 purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.
Christopher Escoffery is the groom.
Just Follow Me looks to lead the way in the Thunder Bay
Seven fillies, including Just Follow Me, will take to the E.P. Taylor turf for the six-furlong Thunder Bay.
Trained by Bill Tharrenos for owner Michael Coll, the daughter of Old Forester has compiled a record of 2-1-0 from five starts.
She comes into Sunday’s test off a troubled fourth in the $100,000 Georgian Bay Stakes, contested at five furlongs over the Woodbine inner turf.
After a light bump with a rival at the start, Just Follow Me saved ground behind the leaders but lacked room along the rail at the sixteenth pole and finished fourth.
“We were waiting for room that unfortunately never did come,” said Tharrenos. “If you watch her gallop out, it was strong. She came out of the race great and now, here we are.
“I am excited about this race. The only question is if the horse will take to the E.P. Taylor because it is a different turf than what you find on the inner one. But she is so athletic and so determined.”
Bred by John Carey, the filly won her debut last November at Woodbine, a 3 ¼-length score at five panels on the all-weather track.
She closed out her rookie season with a second and opened her 3-year-old campaign with a fourth.
On June 8, Just Follow Me made her second trip to the winner’s circle courtesy of a 4 ¾-length triumph at 5 ½ furlongs over the all-weather surface.
“She is just such a nice horse in so many ways. She has that athleticism, she is kind to be around, and she goes out and gives it her all every race. There is nothing to be nervous about when it comes to her.”
Tharrenos, who is on pace to have the best season of his career, is expecting a big effort from his sophomore filly.
“Nothing bothers her. She is going into the race doing very well. Hopefully, she likes the E.P. Taylor. We are looking for big things.”
Emma-Jayne Wilson will be in the irons on Sunday.
“She is a strong finisher – as good as anybody – and I think she will suit Just Follow Me nicely,” said Tharrenos.
Sherri Wickett is the groom.
“I believe Just Follow Me has matured even more from last year, which makes her a pleasure to be around,” said Wickett, of the $23,677 (U.S.) purchase at the 2022 CTHS Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale. “I’m happy to see Mike [owner, Coll] have such a nice filly.”
First post time is 1:05 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.
Field for the Thunder Bay (Race 5)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Miramichi – Amanda Vandermeersch – Alexander Patykewich
2 – Tabloid Material – Omar Moreno – Michelle Love
3 – Vandoo – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
4 – Olivia Rose – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
5 – Little Teddy – Sahin Civaci – Santino Di Paola
6 – Red Eleanor (S) – Eswan Flores – Eric Raghunath
7 – Just Follow Me – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Bill Tharrenos
Field for the Lake Superior (Race 3)
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Summer Commander – Sahin Civaci – Stuart Simon
2 – Criminal Intent – Ryan Munger – Steven Flint
3 – Live Lucky – Rafael Hernandez – Kevin Attard
4 – Jo Daddy – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Carlos Grant
5 – Junior Hot Shot – Justin Stein – John Ross
6 – Zippy Gizmo – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
7 – Ready to Collect (S) – Jason Hoyte – Sylvester Ollivierre
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
