In a thrilling day of stakes racing at Woodbine on Saturday, veteran runner Cruden Bay and the promising Solo Album showcased their talents in the prestigious Connaught Cup (G2T) and the Trillium Stakes (G3) respectively.
Trained by Don MacRae, Cruden Bay secured his first stakes victory in the $175,000 bet365 Connaught Cup. The 5-year-old gelding, owned by Michael Lay, was expertly piloted by Sofia Vives. The race saw Cruden Bay settle at the back of the pack as early front-runners First Empire and Capture the Lion took control. As the race progressed, Vives bided her time, waiting for the right moment to advance. When the field turned for home, Cruden Bay surged forward, navigating through traffic to capture a neck victory over War Bomber, with a final time of 1:21.27 for the seven-furlong race.
Vives, who has quickly made a name for herself, spoke highly of the gelding's abilities. “Today, I went on a rail trip. It was a perfect trip. He listens, and he did just that today,” she remarked. Cruden Bay’s victory marked a significant achievement for his connections, as he showcased his determination and talent on the turf.
Meanwhile, in the $135,000 Trillium Stakes, the 4-year-old filly Solo Album, trained by Mark Casse, showcased her fighting spirit by holding onto her lead throughout the race. Ridden by Sahin Civaci, the daughter of Curlin raced comfortably in front, holding off late challenges from Fashionably Fab and Forever Dixie. Solo Album crossed the finish line, winning by a head with a time of 1:43.90 for the 1 1/16-mile distance.
Civaci commented on the race strategy, “The pace was quite easy, and the rail was open, so I went. I felt them coming, so I was riding hard, and she held on.” Solo Album’s victory adds to her impressive record, now sitting at 3-5-1 from 14 starts.
Both Cruden Bay and Solo Album showcased exceptional skill and determination, adding memorable victories to their careers while delighting their connections and fans alike at Woodbine.