TORONTO, ON – Trainer Tim Hamm’s Fast Scene took the lead early and fought strongly late to outbob a game Bayerly Seen to win Sunday’s inaugural running of the $100,000 Woodbine Cares Stakes at Woodbine.
Breaking from post 8 under Rafael Hernandez at 4/1 odds, Fast Scene was quick into stride but had to race two-wide down the back, thanks to the 9/5 favorite Bayerly Seen’s presence. As she began making the far turn, Fast Scene was able to pull ahead of Bayerly Seen enough to cross over slightly while posting fractions of :21.35 and :44.64.
At the top of the stretch, Bayerly Seen tipped out and commenced a rally down the outside of the pacesetter. The bettors’ choice looked poised for a runaway victory, but Fast Scene dug in and fought back, refusing to give an inch.
The two fillies battled heads apart, but at the wire, it was Fast Scene crossing with hers in front as she completed the 5-furlong sprint over the firm inner turf course in a final time of :56.96.
Quality Heat rallied down the middle of the lane to get third late, while a three-way photo finish for fourth went to Avie’s Samurai by a nose and a neck over Egyptian Nights and Lady Fatima. The 7/2 second choice Foolish Humor crossed in seventh just behind them, while My Doughnut, The Good Witch, Miss Lucy, and Laxmi completed the order of finish. Nite Brite was scratched.
Fast Scene’s win was her third from four local tries, including a score in the My Dear Stakes, with her lone defeat coming last out in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes. The juvenile daughter of Fast Anna increased her earnings mark to $126,551 for breeder/co-owner Three Chimneys Farm and co-owner Blazing Meadows Farm.
“She showed a lot of class today,” said assistant trainer Scooter Davis. “She dug in. The horse came to her and Rafael just threw a cross on her and she came back. I was kind of worried a little bit, wondering if she would handle the turf, but she kind of redeemed herself.”
Fast Scene returned $10.10 to win, $4.50 to place, and $3.20 to show. Bayerly Seen brought back $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show, while Quality Heat paid $4.60 to show.