Splash of Bourbon strengthened her growing reputation at Woodbine on Sunday with another polished performance, coming from off the pace to land the $150,000 Thunder Bay Stakes. The victory marked the Ontario-bred filly’s third consecutive win and the first stakes triumph of her career, continuing an impressive rise through the sprint ranks.
Thunder Bay Stakes results.
Breaking well from post seven under Fraser Aebly, Splash of Bourbon settled in fourth during the early stages as Souper Sporty set a comfortable tempo through an opening quarter-mile of :22.25 and a half-mile in :45.39. The early leader enjoyed an uncontested advantage while the rest of the field tracked closely behind.
Turning for home, Splash of Bourbon began to improve steadily around the outside, passing several rivals including race favourite Souper Diva. She produced her strongest run inside the final three-sixteenths, sweeping past the fading leader before holding off the late rail challenge of Arianna’s Tour. Crossing the line 1½ lengths in front, she completed the six-furlong contest in 1:11.29.
The Thunder Bay Stakes victory continued a remarkable sequence for the daughter of Old Forester, who has now won three races in succession after equipment changes earlier this season. Following back-to-back sprint victories in allowance company, she successfully stepped into stakes company and maintained her winning momentum.
Prepared by veteran trainer Sid Attard and partnered once again by Fraser Aebly, Splash of Bourbon has shown consistent improvement throughout her three-year-old campaign. The Ontario-sired filly was making her seventh career start and remained unbeaten in four appearances over Woodbine’s synthetic surface this season.
Owned and bred by Tucci Holdings, Splash of Bourbon made an immediate impact when winning on debut as a juvenile before contesting stronger opposition later in her first season. After a winter break, she returned in excellent form, putting together a string of increasingly impressive performances that culminated in Sunday’s stakes breakthrough.
Her latest success came just over two weeks after a determined sprint victory on July 11, where she recorded a career-best performance. The quick return posed another challenge, but the filly once again demonstrated her consistency and finishing strength to secure the biggest victory of her career.
Arianna’s Tour finished second after making late ground along the rail, while Souper Sporty held on for third following her front-running effort. Pageant Queen completed the top four, with race favourite Souper Diva finishing seventh.
The Thunder Bay Stakes results underline Splash of Bourbon’s rapid development into one of Woodbine’s leading Ontario-sired sprint fillies. With three consecutive victories and a first stakes title now on her record, she appears well positioned for further opportunities in the remainder of the racing season.
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