Two-year-old Philip My Dear was in the spotlight on Saturday as Woodbine showcased a pair of juvenile stakes including, the $150,000 Soaring Free Stakes.
Rajendra Maharajh, the man behind Raroma Stables, paid $100,000 for the Adena Springs-bred son of Silent Name out of the Hidden Brook Farm consignment at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The 6 ½ furlong sprints contested on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course are local preps for the upcoming Grade 1 Pattison Summer and Johnny Walker Natalma, a pair of Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ one-mile turf stakes set for September 17 at the Toronto oval.
It was Poulin in O T, undefeated in his first two starts, who sped to the front, as Ninetyfourexpos and outsider Battle Strike kept close tabs on the leader through an opening quarter timed in :22.85. Kazushi Kimura, aboard Philip My Dear, was positioned in eighth of 10 in the early going.
“I didn’t think he was going to make it,” said trainer Kevin Attard, of the dramatic Soaring Free performance. “He showed a lot of grit and a lot of determination. He’s a nice colt.”
A colt that looks to be headed towards a date in the Summer Stakes.
“Absolutely,” said Attard. “That’s where we have been aiming for. We kind of thought he might need another race in between his maiden race and the Summer, and that fell today. We’re one step closer.”
