Wakanaka, trained by Bill Mott, looked right at home on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, taking the $204,400 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) July 24 at Woodbine.
Fev Rover zipped up the rail to seize control of the 1 1/16-mile race as Inthewinnerscircle was settled into second, one length off the leader through an opening split of :23.65 over firm going. Seasons was positioned in third, a head in front of the Rafael Hernandez-piloted Wakanaka.
Fev Rover was a half-length on top after a half in :47.19, followed by Inthewinnerscircle, Seasons, Wakanaka, Munnyfor Ro, and Youens.
Going three-quarters in 1:10.26, Fev Rover braced for the challenge of a surging Wakanaka, who made up ground quickly to record a 1 3/4-length victory in 1:39.46
Owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber, the 4-year-old daughter of Power paid $4.60 to win. She improved her record to 7-4-1 from 13 starts and increased her earnings to $456,299.
Bred by Mrs. Jean Brennan, Wakanaka is out of the Kodiac mare Storyline, who has three winners out of three foals to start. The dam also has a 2-year-old Footstepsinthesand filly named Storyinthesand.
Wakanaka was a $4,274 purchase for Diego Dettori from the Tullerboy Farm consignment at the 2019 Goffs UK Premier & Silver Yearling Sale.
Longshot Hazelbrook Earns First Stakes Win in Hendrie
True North Stable's Hazelbrook, the second-longest shot on the tote board, earned her first stakes victory in the $156,900 Hendrie Stakes (G3), a 6 1/2-furlong Tapeta sprint for filles and mares Sunday at Woodbine.
Trained by Lorne Richards, the 4-year-old daughter of Bayern was making her second stakes appearance and sixth career start, all coming at Woodbine.
Through an opening quarter timed in :22.22, jockey Jason Hoyte positioned the 26-1 filly sixth in the field of seven.
Dynasty of Her Own put a head in front of Artie's Princess after a half in :44.23, with Amalfi Coast in third and Hazelbrook moving up one spot into fifth as the real running commenced.
As the field rounded the turn for home, Boardroom looked for room along the inside as Amalfi Coast and Hazelbrook arrived on the scene, setting up a thrilling duel to the wire. Hazelbrook went on to notch a neck win in 1:15.68 over a game Amalfi Coast.
Hazelbrook paid $54.10 and improved her record to 4-0-1 from six starts and increased her earnings to $176,481.
Bred in Kentucky by Mike Bilbrey, Hazelbrook is out of the Bernstein mare Zaphia, who has four winners out of five foals to start. She has also produced Red Carpet Handicap (G3T) winner Zuzanna. The dam has a 2-year-old Bayern colt and a yearling Klimtgelding named Skipper's Pride.
Hazelbrook was purchased by True North Stable and Keith Johns for $50,000 from the Indian Creek consignment at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
