The Ontario Sired Heritage Series, a four-race competition showcasing top Ontario-sired talent at Woodbine and Fort Erie, concluded on November 16 with thrilling stakes action and bonus awards.
War Painter Triumphs in Ashbridges Bay Stakes
The $100,000 Ashbridges Bay Stakes, contested over 1 1/16 miles for three-year-old fillies, delivered a nail-biting finish. War Painter, a Danish Dynaformer filly, surged late under jockey Fraser Aebly to win by a head in a blanket finish. The Kevin Attard trainee upset heavy favourite Hurricane Clair, clocking 1:44.93 to claim her second career stakes victory.
Owned by Canuck Racing Club, War Painter marked the group’s first stakes win of the season. The victory also added to Attard’s stellar record, bringing his 2024 stakes wins at Woodbine to 10.
Meanwhile, the consistent Little Teddy earned the $10,000 series bonus for fillies after finishing fifth in the Ashbridges Bay. Trained by Santino DiPaola, Little Teddy’s performance in all four Heritage races, including a victory in the Georgian Bay Stakes, secured her 24-point total to lead the standings.
No More Options Dominates Lake Ontario Stakes
On the colts and geldings side, No More Options delivered a commanding performance in the $100,000 Lake Ontario Stakes, cruising to victory under jockey Ryan Munger in 1:44.66. Trained by Zeljko Krcmar for owner Mary Self, the Frac Daddy colt secured his fifth win from 14 starts.
Despite his impressive showing, it was runner-up Junior Hot Shot who claimed the $10,000 series bonus. The John Ross-trained colt finished the series with 26 points, highlighted by a win in the Lake Erie Stakes and consistent placings throughout the competition.
Ontario Sired Heritage Series Leaders
Fillies
1. Little Teddy – 24 points
2. War Painter – 17 points
3. Olivia Rose – 17 points
Colts/Geldings
1. Junior Hot Shot – 26 points
2. Live Lucky – 20 points
3. No More Options – 12 points
The Ontario Heritage Series once again showcased the depth of talent among Ontario-sired horses, cementing its place as a key highlight of the racing calendar.