The Timothy Ritchey trainee sat just off a hotly contested pace early pace duel in the six-furlong turf event, then rallied stoutly down the E.P. Taylor Turf Course to win by 3 ¾ lengths. Becky Sharp was second, a neck ahead of mutuel favourite Marina Ballerina.
The final time for the Royal North was a sharp 1:07.88 on "firm" turf, just a shade off the track record of 1:07.39 set by Starticus on July 5.
"I had a chance to be in a good position and she was traveling perfectly," said da Silva, aboard Akronism in what was her Woodbine debut. "When she was warming up, she was very relaxed. It looked like she had run here 10 times already."
It was the eighth career victory from 20 starts for Akronism, who came into the Royal North off a third-place performance in the Light Hearted Stakes, on July 13 at Delaware Park, in what marked her first grass test.
"She did everything perfectly," added da Silva. "She ran a great race."
Robert Landry, aboard Zadracarta Stakes winner Becky Sharp, was happy with the effort of the six-year-old mare.
"She's tremendous and she tries so hard," said Landry, who will ride morning line favourite Solitaire in Sunday's $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, at Woodbine. "You can't help but love her. Every time she comes out here, she gives 100 per cent. That's all you can ask from a racehorse."
Green Door was scratched, reducing the field to six starters.
Akronism returned $8.70, $4.40, $3.60, combining with Becky Sharp ($7.50, $4.30) for a $65 exactor. Marina Ballerina ($2.60) helped fashion a $215.30 triactor.
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Sutherland to ride Sligovitz in Breeders' Stakes
TORONTO, August 2 * Jockey Chantal Sutherland will ride Stronach Stables' Sligovitz in the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
Sutherland, who ranks sixth at the Toronto oval with 45 wins as of August 1, replaces Todd Kabel aboard the three-year-old son of Sligo Bay, who is listed as the 7-2 morning line second choice.
The Winnipeg native, who returned to the Toronto oval last year after competing in the United States in 2005 and 2006, is in search of her first Breeders' win.
She won the 2001 and 2002 Sovereign Award as Canada's top apprentice.
Trained by Brian Lynch, Sligovitz comes into the third gem of the Triple Crown Series on a two-race win streak, including a head score over Breeders' rival Palmers on July 13 at Woodbine.
The Breeders' is listed as race nine on the 10-race programme. Post time for the 1 ½ mile event on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course is 5:08 p.m.
