Supplemented sensation: Ecstasy, at 27-1, takes Ontario Damsel
TORONTO, October 12, 2024— Ecstasy, supplemented to the race by her connections, won Saturday’s $125,000 Ontario Damsel Stakes, for 3-year-old fillies, contested at 1 1/16 miles over the Woodbine main track.
After early splits of :24.27 and :48.33 set by Managing Mischief, Ecstasy, sent off at 27-1, was roused to the lead around the turn for home, then opened up impressively down the lane on her way to a 1 ¾ -length score in a time of 1:43.37. Witwatersrand, the 5-2 mutuel choice, finished second by a head over Pendulum, who rallied to get third, a nose in front of Destiny Star.
“She’s a real honest horse,” said Aebly, who celebrated his first Woodbine stakes success. “She's got quite the character, but she gives you everything she’s got when you're running.
"She’s lovely. You can come off the pace with her, it doesn't seem to matter distance wise or surface.”
Bred in Kentucky by Martha H. Buckner and owned by Tucci Stables, the daughter of Paynter-Annihilations added to an already impressive 2024 campaign, moving her seasonal mark to 4-2-0 from eight starts.
It was the first stakes trophy for the dark bay.
“Well, there was nothing else really to put her into, and we didn't want to keep her in the barn,” said owner Lou Tucci. “What I'm surprised about is the 27-1 odds. That's the only thing I'm surprised about. She's just improving every step of the way.”
Ecstasy, a $32,000 (US) purchase at the 2023 OBS June Two-Year-Olds & HRA Sale, arrived at the Ontario Damsel off a second, a half-length back of the winner, in a 6 ½-furlong race over the E.P. Taylor turf on Sept. 20.
She debuted at Woodbine last November, finishing fifth, and broke her maiden in her sixth start, on June 21, a 2 ¼-length triumph at seven panels on the main track.
Now 4-3-0 from 11 starts, Ecstasy paid $57.70 for today’s milestone score. Ontario was scratched.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
