Ocean Club turfs Grade 2 Nassau foes
TORONTO, June 28, 2025 – Ocean Club made her second trip to Canada a memorable one courtesy of an impressive performance in the one-mile $175,000 Nassau (G2T) Stakes for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.
After a fourth in last year’s Trillium Stakes (G3) at the Toronto oval, Ocean Club, under an astute ride from Sofia Vives, made her return trip a winner’s circle trip at odds of 12-1.
Making her first appearance on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, the chestnut mare broke sharply and took over the proceedings strides out of the gate. The well-traveled 5-year-old held a one-length lead over Sweet Rebecca through an opening quarter in :23.22, while Ms. Tart, who won last month’s Royal North Stakes (G3T) at 70-1, Caitlinhergrtness, and Ready to Jam all kept close tabs on the pacesetter.
An unfettered Ocean Club, trained by Tom Proctor, was still firmly in control after a half in :46.00 and then dug in for the challenge of Sweet Rebecca to her outside and an inside surge from Caitlinhergrtness as they straightened for home. With less than 200 yards to go, Ocean Club found another gear and set sail for the wire.
Ready for Shirl burst between rivals and Blueberry Fields also surged late, but Ocean Club easily held on to best the former by three-quarters of a length. Blueberry Fields, at 61-1, was a further head back in third. Austere was fourth.
The final time over good ground was 1:33.62.
“We ran a good fourth last year,” said Vives, of last year’s Trillium Stakes effort. “I think we were beaten only a length. Today, I thought, ‘Put her where she is going to be comfortable.’ The turf was playing pretty speed-favouring. She broke sharp, and she was up there with her ears forward and very comfortable. She ran home and she was pretty game.”
“She did her job. She knew what do. She came here fresh, and the team had her ready. Hopefully, we see some more of her.”
A homebred for Glen Hill Farm, Ocean Club, a daughter of Curlin out of the War Front mare Theatre Star, is now 6-3-4 from 20 starts.
She paid $27.80 for the Nassau victory.
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Chris Lomon, Woodbine
Mark McKelvie