There was a sparkle in trainer Katerina Vassilieva’s eye as she recalled Simcoe’s Bold Venture victory. “He made it look so easy,” she said with a smile, after watching her five-year-old gelding power away for a 5 ¾-length win last month. The confidence in her voice matched the confident stride Simcoe now carries into Saturday’s Grade 3 Vigil Stakes at Woodbine.
The $150,000 Vigil, run over seven furlongs, will see Simcoe face eight rivals. But Vassilieva’s charge arrives in rare form, fresh off a decisive score in the Bold Venture (G3), clocking 1:15.42 for 6 ½ furlongs. With Rafael Hernandez back in the irons, expectations are high.
Simcoe’s New Lease on Racing Life
Once thought to be a router, Simcoe has blossomed since being shortened up to sprint distances. “It might have taken me longer than it should have to figure out what he really wanted,” Vassilieva admitted. “When he gets the lead, he doesn’t give it up. He just fights.”
The Chiefswood Stables homebred, a son of Uncle Mo, has pieced together a sparkling record of 4-4-0 in his last eight starts, with earnings now topping $328,000. He tuned up for the Vigil with a composed four-furlong breeze in :49.00 on September 6.
“He’s been carrying himself like he knows he’s the man,” Vassilieva added. “He’s very focused, very professional. He’s got a big heart.” Groom Jamar Goddard echoed the sentiment: “He’s a true athlete.”
Ontario Matron Stakes: Attard’s Strong Hand
While Simcoe headlines the Vigil, another storyline belongs to Kevin Attard, who will saddle a formidable trio in Saturday’s Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes.
Repole Stable’s Wild Pansy (GB) makes her North American debut after stylish wins in France. “She settled in here straight away,” Attard noted. “The talent is there, and so is the mindset.”
Joining her is Fashionably Fab, last year’s Ontario Matron winner and a Sovereign Award recipient. Though her early season was patchy, Attard believes she’s rounding back into form. “She came flying late in her last race. We’d love a repeat of last year’s run.”
Then there’s Caitlinhergrtness, the 2024 King’s Plate heroine, who gave groom Troy Garnett the proudest moment of his career. “Whenever people see the Plate board, her name will be there forever,” he said. After a mixed campaign, Attard feels she’s ready to fire again.
A Saturday to Savour at Woodbine
Both the Vigil and Ontario Matron carry tradition, quality, and a dash of romance. Fans will see horses who fight for the lead, mares with international flair, and familiar champions looking to write another chapter.
For Vassilieva, a second straight graded stakes triumph with Simcoe would mean everything. For Attard, victory with any of his trio would reaffirm his stable’s dominance. Either way, Saturday promises racing theatre at its finest at Woodbine Racetrack.
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