The still-fledgling career of Sofia Vives took another major step forward on Saturday.
In just her second full season as a jockey. Vives captured her first Canadian classic, riding Kin’s Concerto to perfection in winning the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.
“It’s very exciting to have a win like this in your lifetime, but as (an apprentice rider), this is pretty special,” Vives said.
Facing 13 rivals in Canada’s biggest race for three-year-old fillies, Vives was able to take her filly to the rail and closely track pacesetters early in the 1 1/8-mile race. She took Kin’s Concerto a couple of paths wide around the turn to get some room and in the stretch, she had plenty of daylight to get by Caitlinhergreatness late.
“We knew that speed was going to go,” Vives said. “She made it to the rail. It was the easiest way around.
“I was able to drift her to the two-path then the hole opened up and she was ready to take all of them.”
Trained by Josie Carroll for owner Chiefswood Stables, Kin’s Concerto raced four times previously. She finished second earlier in the year at Gulfstream but was promoted to first off a disqualification. Kin’s Concerto was sent off at 9-2 and earned $300,000 for the Oaks win.
Chiefswood general manager Robert Landry would not commit to a possible start in the King’s Plate for the filly.
It was not the only stakes win on the day for Vives. Earlier, she rode Cruden Bay to a win in the $175,000 Connaught Cup. Don MacRae trains the six-year-old gelding.
PLATE FAVE
Maybe overcoming some adversity could help My Boy Prince as he heads to the King’s Plate.
The three-year-old son of Cairo Prince won the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes despite having a poor start and being unable to use his usual front-running tactics. Fortunately, a slow pace allowed him to get back into the position needed to take command in mid-stretch and win by 1 1/4 lengths as the 1-5 favourite. Long shot Rafaroo charged late for second.
“It’s a little worrisome if they get away from you,” jockey Sahin Civaci said. “But the pace was going easy and I got up to a nice spot.”
“I didn’t mind him sitting off the pace today because in the King’s Plate, there are a lot of horses and he can’t always be on the lead. So I was glad he was able to relax today.
Trained by Mark Casse and owned by Gary Barber, My Boy Prince likely will be the favourite for the Aug. 17 classic. The top two-year-old colt in Canada last year after two dominant stakes wins and a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, he captured both the King Corrie and Queenston Stakes earlier in the meet. It was his first win going two turns. Casse will also likely be sending out Marine Stakes winner Essex Serpent and Midnight Mascot in the Plate.
Casse and Civaci also enjoyed success in the $135,000 Trillium Stakes with Solo Album, who won her third race in 14 career starts.