Cruden Bay and Solo Album Shine on Saturday Stakes

The seasoned Cruden Bay delivered an impressive performance, securing a top score in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup, while Solo Album made her mark in the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes.

Trained by Don MacRae, Cruden Bay celebrated his first stakes victory by winning the $175,000 bet365 Connaught Cup (G2T) held at Woodbine. Early on, Mark Casse's trainees, First Empire and Capture the Lion (who was supplemented for the race), took the lead, with Sofia Vives riding Cruden Bay, who was positioned at the back of the pack in eighth place after an opening quarter timed at :23.61 in the seven-furlong turf race for horses aged 3 and up on good ground.

As the race progressed, Casse's duo continued to command the pace, completing a half-mile in :45.97, followed closely by Saratoga Flash and War Bomber (IRE), while Cruden Bay maintained his position at the rear.

As the field approached the home stretch, the competition intensified. War Bomber surged into the lead midway down the lane, but Cruden Bay found an opening and gained momentum in the final stages. Ultimately, Cruden Bay, who previously finished fourth in the Steady Growth Stakes last December, managed to secure a neck victory, clocking in at 1:21.27. War Bomber finished 3 ¾ lengths ahead of Ironstone in third place, with Capture the Lion coming in fourth.

Sofia Vives, riding Cruden Bay for the first time following a win on June 1 at the same distance, praised the horse’s performance. “In the stretch, you just need to give him a clear path and avoid any obstacles,” said Vives, the 2023 Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s champion apprentice. “I had a perfect trip on the rail today. Everything played out perfectly for us, and he listened to my directions.”

MacRae expressed his joy over the victory, particularly since Cruden Bay was a $33,822 purchase from the 2019 CTHS Canadian-bred Yearling Sale. “I was ecstatic! He really needs the full stretch to make his move. He knows how to win by the narrowest of margins and he gives his all. As soon as I saw her switch him into gear, I knew he would respond.”

With this victory, Cruden Bay, owned by Michael Lay and bred in Ontario by Spring Farm, now boasts a record of 7-9-1 from 22 career starts. “I’m thrilled for Michael Lay and my team,” MacRae added. “He has nurtured this horse since he was a foal, and he truly deserves this win.” Cruden Bay returned $10.50 for a win.

In another race at Woodbine on Saturday, Solo Album claimed the lead early and displayed remarkable resolve to secure victory in the $135,000 Trillium Stakes Presented by Don Julio (G3). Ridden by Sahin Civaci, who had previously won the Plate Trial Stakes with Mark Casse’s My Boy Prince, the 4-year-old daughter of Curlin and Summer Solo took a narrow lead over American competitor Ocean Club as they entered the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares aged 3 and older.

Solo Album held a slim head advantage over Ocean Club after a quarter mile in :24.65, followed closely by Batucada and Ro Town. She maintained her narrow lead through a half-mile in :49.20, with Batucada, Ro Town, and Fashionably Fab keeping a close watch on the leaders.

As they rounded the turn, Solo Album faced pressure from Fashionably Fab, who had surged through a gap just before they straightened out for home, and Ocean Club was also in contention. With a length advantage at the stretch call, Solo Album challenged a late push from her stablemate Forever Dixie, who had been added to the race alongside her, winning by a head. Fashionably Fab, riding a five-race winning streak prior to the Trillium, finished a neck behind in third, while Ocean Club was fourth. Five Towns (GB) was scratched from the race. The final time recorded was 1:43.90.

“I knew she could come from behind, but when I saw there was little pace, I decided to take advantage of it and go for it,” Civaci explained. “I felt the competition closing in, so I pushed her hard, and she managed to hold on.”

Owned by Gary Barber, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Steven Rocco, Solo Album, who was bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud Inc., now holds a record of 3-5-1 from 14 starts. She was purchased for $535,000 at the 2021 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale and previously won the Grade 3 Selene Stakes last year, returning $6.60 for Saturday’s victory.