Sunday, September 07, 2008

Seaway victress may be on to Breeders’ Cup

Akronism captured her second Woodbine stakes event in as many months in Saturday's Grade 3, $157,800 Seaway Stakes.

Last month, the four-year-old daughter of Not For Love was an open-length winner of the Grade 3 Royal North over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.


Today, she triumphed courageously over Marina Ballerina, in her first career attempt over a synthetic surface. Executive Flight was third.

The Tim Ritchey trainee, who settled just off the pace, won by one length and traveled seven furlongs in 1:21.51.

"She broke well," said jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva. "She was on the wrong lead, I think, because it was her first time on this track. She switched leads and from there on she ran perfectly. Once she got on the right lead, I was just steering her around."

The victory is the 10th Woodbine stakes win of the season for the 33-year-old native of Brazil.

Akronism, owned and bred in Kentucky by Robert Evans, is now 4-for-9 in 2008, including three stakes wins. The bay boosted her earnings to $523,872.

Patrick Lawley-Wakelin, who is racing manager for Robert Evans, said the filly may be pointed towards the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

"I thought we were taking a big shot today," said Lawley-Wakelin. "The filly obviously has tremendous quality and the (Breeders' Cup) is where Mr. Ritchey wants to go. I think she deserves a shot, without any doubt. I think the trainer, who is at rain-soaked Delaware right now, will be pondering that. There is a possibility we might go on to Keeneland."

Akronism returned $6.80, $4.50 and $3.70, combining with Marina Ballerina ($15, $8.20) for an $89.60 exactor. Executive Flight ($3.60) rounded out a triactor worth $357.30.

That Girl Is Mine was scratched.

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