Marie MacKay A Maiden No More After Shady Well; Ironstone Coasts In Clarendon

TORONTO, ON – Marie MacKay broke her maiden gate to wire in the $150,000 Shady Well Stakes Presented by Pepsi and Ironstone coasted home victorious as the heavy favorite in the $150,000 Clarendon Stakes Presented by HBPA of Ontario on Friday’s card at Woodbine.

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Marie MacKay Breaks Her Maiden In Shady Well

Marie MacKay led every step of the way in the Shady Well to break her maiden in style.

The Dan Vella trainee broke running and immediately seized control of the 5 1/2-furlong race for Ontario-bred juvenile fillies. She took her five rivals through early splits of :22.82 and :45.73 en route to a 2 1/4-length triumph in 1:04.03.

“I was given a heads-up that she’s really, really quick,” said winning rider Justin Stein. “She’s definitely up there with the quickest I’ve ridden. She gets her feet under her right away and she’s running. You just kind of stay out of her way a little bit and hang on. We just let her run her race.”

Aubrieta, the 4/5 choice, trained by Mark Casse, recovered from an awkward start and rallied to finish second, while Ya Mar, also a Casse trainee, was third.

Marie MacKay, second choice at 9/2, paid $11.10 for the win.

Bred and owned by Track West Racing and Donald Whalen, the daughter of Noble Mission was second to Aubrieta in her career bow on September 11, also a 5 1/2-furlong Tapeta race.

“She need that first start,” offered Stein. “She did get a little bit tired, but I figured today she’d be a lot tighter. I figured she’s better than the rest of these ones today.”

Ironstone Rock-Solid In Clarendon

Ironstone coasted to victory in the co-featured Clarendon.

Ademar Santos piloted the son of Mr Speaker to his second straight stakes score and once again, the grey colt did it with the greatest of ease.

Sent off as the 1/5 choice in the race for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds, Ironstone was sent to the front and established a lead of a 1/2-length after a 1/4 timed in :22.88. The advantage grew to 2 lengths after a 1/2 in :45.56.

From there, it was simply matter of how much the winning margin would be.

At the wire, the Willie Armata-trained colt was 6 lengths ahead of his nearest rival, Silent Runner. Silent Resent was third.

The final time was 1:03.53.

“He was just very sharp,” praised Santos. “He broke sharp and he just wanted to go. He took the lead and I slowed him down pretty good. So, when the horse (Bossy Holiday) came to him, it was easy… I just moved my hands and he took off.”

Ironstone paid $2.50 for the win.

It was déjà vu for the winning connections, who came into the Clarendon off a dominating 8 1/2-length triumph in the 6 1/2-furlong main track Simcoe Stakes on August 29 at Woodbine.

“He’s a good horse, and every time he runs and when he works, he gallops out phenomenal,” said Armata. “There’s nothing more you can ask from this guy. He’s just given us everything we’ve asked for.”

Bred in Ontario by Kingsview Farms, Ironstone, owned by Tequesta Racing Inc. and Jupiter Leasing Co., launched his career with a runner-up effort in June and was fifth in his next start.