Lady Grace Flies Late in Royal North

TORONTO, ON – Tracy Farmer’s Lady Grace came flying late and nailed her Mark Casse stablemate Eyeinthesky at the wire to win Saturday’s $175,000 Royal North Stakes (G2) at Woodbine.

Sent from post 8 under Kazushi Kimura at 6/1 odds, Lady Grace trailed in near-last while Sister Peacock set the early pace. Angled out near the top of the stretch, Lady Grace commenced a rally the length of the stretch and took over just inside the 1/16 pole.

The driving Lady Grace crossed 3/4 of a length clear in a final time of 1:06.90 for the 6-furlong firm outer turf course sprint. She was just 0.02 seconds away from tying Kasuga’s track record set in 2017.

The four-horse photo finish for second went to Eyeinthesky over Bohemian Bourbon, Charmaine’s Mia, and Sister Peacock. Further back came Foxxy Belle, the 9/5 favorite Summer Sunday, and Gamble’s Candy to complete the order of finish.

Another Time was scratched.

Lady Grace’s win was her second straight following a local allowance score on June 26 and improved her overall record to 13-5-3-1. The Florida-bred 4-year-old Kantharos filly increased her earnings mark to $245,547.

“Last time winning with her, the filly was such a nice horse,” Kimura said. “I’m not surprised today. Last time, I went to the front, but today, there were so many speed horses to the front side, I just changed my mind, sat behind, stalking from behind, then she came flying today.”

Lady Grace returned $14.80 to win, $7.20 to place, and $4.70 to show. Eyeinthesky brought back $9.20 to place and $6.20 to show, while Bohemian Bourbon paid $5.90 to show.