Chi Chi Time Makes Searing Debut
The Pat Jarvis-trained CHI CHI TIME exploded onto the Hastings scene with a searing first run, making a memorable first impression and going within a hair's breadth of lowering the track record
HIGHLIGHTS
Apprentice jockey Richard Balgobin rode a double
Kerron Khelawan rode two winners
Three of the day’s six winners were bred in B.C.
The handle was $384,172
Racing Around
Plenty of weather about but, fortunately, the Saturday morning downpour had mostly relented by post time. The rain did its work, however, and the track remained sloppy, but fair, all afternoon.
Race Reviews by Mike Heads
Race 1.
The first on the Saturday program went to Rob and Sheena Maybin's WEEKENDINDELMAR ($5.60), who spent the entire trip in the three-path under Richard Balgobin but still managed to outrun her rivals to win by a nose in 1:18.07 for trainer Rob Maybin. Stewart Spencer and Sean Ederer’s BLUEBIRD CAFE broke beautifully and was sent right to the lead by Kimal Santo (22.61, 46.32) and stayed on gamely to the finish, losing a tough photo in a very good effort for conditioner Keith Pedersen. Goonshow Stables’ DUKE GIRLS was off a tad slow, then rushed up by Silvino Morales to join the pace, racing in between runners, but started to give ground into the stretch and ended up third for trainer Dino Condilenios.
Race 2.
The second of the afternoon saw Wil-a-Way Farms, Gail Jewsbury and Pat Jarvis’ CHI CHI TIME ($6.80) destroy a field of filly maidens in an amazing 1:15.13 under Kuri Powell. The first time starter by Finality was away smartly and set ambitious fractions (21.94, 45.56), but proved that those splits were easy as she sprinted away to an effortless score for trainer Pat Jarvis. Jim and Anne Alendal’s MINA MARINA also showed excellent speed in her debut, managed to stay with the winner until the far turn, but easily held second under Kimal Santo for trainer Cindy Krasner. Joe and Gloria Russo's SAILING FORCE was far back early under Amadeo Perez and made a solid late run to be third for trainer Patty Leaney.
Race 3.
The third race of the day was won by Lorie Henson, Helen Klimes and Sharon Pring's QUAGMIRE ($6.00), who was content to settle in behind the speed, then shifted out to the three path under Richard Balgobin and they eked out a hard-fought victory in 1:17.58 for conditioner Steve Henson. Rob and Sheena Maybin's EYE BE SEEING YOU rallied from well back under Chris Mamdeen and was closing fastest but ran out of racetrack, ending up a good runner-up. Cody Wellard, Kelsi Wellard and Pete Gregory’s TEXAS MOONSHINE was also at the tail of affairs under Bebeto Harvey and moved strongly through the final quarter-mile, finishing a close third for trainer Pete Gregory.
Race 4.
The fourth race went to the Lois Bennett's TOUCH THE SUN ($3.40), who raced up on a crowded front end through fractions of 22.35, 46.37 then, when asked at the far turn by Amadeo Perez, started to inch clear and held a comfortable margin to the finish in 1:17.88 for trainer Barbara Heads . Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's COUNTER CAT was hung a little wide throughout most of the race and did well under Kerron Khelawan to end up an impressive second for Keith Pedersen. Joe and Gloria Russo's CREATIVE UNION was impressive on debut as he settled behind the tepid pace and ran on nicely to be a promising third for Patty Leaney.
Race 5.
The fifth on the program saw TC Racing's STANFORD BAY ($9.30) turn in a powerhouse performance under Kerron Khelawan, racing through contested splits (22.04, 44.99) and drawing clear late to win in 1:16.33 for trainer Rob Gilker. Dennis Spence’s WHAT’S SHAKIN was far back off of the blazing fractions and flew late under Kimal Santo to get the second slot for Cindy Krasner. Dennis Dale, Morris Peter and Ed Welsh's ROCKCLIFFE was also held in reserve through early going and charged home to be third for trainer Keith Pedersen.
Race 6.
The sixth race was won by Warren Wilson, June Sutherland, Neil Stajkowski, Ross Switzer and Barry Hickman's PAY MY WAY ($9.10), who showed his affinity to shine at longer distances and, with Kerron Khelawan in the saddle, persevered in deep stretch to get the victory in 1:44.03 for trainer Charlene Miller. WYN Racing Stables’ DUPLICATION set all the fractions from the rail under Antonio Reyes, which were fast and pressured (24.11, 47.40, 1:11.78), and showed amazing resilience to stay strong in the stretch, just missing in a huge effort for veteran trainer Larry Grieve. J G Williamson Racing’s BAK TO LIBERTY tried for the early lead under Amadeo Perez, but yielded entering the stretch for the first time and chose to track the quick pace, then put in a solid middle move and ended up third for conditioner Steve Henson.
Caitlin Is Great in Return; Ms Tart Is Sweet in Royal North
King's Plate winner and champion Caitlinhergrtness cruised to a five length win in the Grade 3 Belle Mahone on May 31
Courtesy Canadian Thoroughbred
By: JENNIFER MORRISON | May 31, 2025
King’s Plate winner CAITLINHERGRTNESS had a victorious return to the races as a 4-year-old on May 31, a big stakes day at Woodbine, winning the Grade 3 Belle Mahone Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for WinStar Farm and trainer Kevin Attard. The 2024 Champion 3-year-old filly had been burning up the main track in her workouts this spring and certainly was very ready to go as she met older gals for the first time.
Under Rafael Hernandez, Caitlinghergrtness wound up sitting pretty early in the race, stalking in third behind the duelers For Flying (Brz) and Dana’s Beauty, both invaders from the US. While the daughter of Omaha Beach had not raced since a fourth in the Maple Leaf Stakes at Woodbine late last year, she was gleaming in post parade and looked razor sharp.
Once Hernandez angled her out off the rail to make her move into the stretch, the race was essentially over. Caitlinhergrtness took off on her way to a five-length win in 1:42.26 on a very windy and cold day at Woodbine .For Flying, making her first start since last fall for trainer Graham Motion held second over a charging Ready for Shirl, trainer by Roger Attfield.
Attard, who also sent out Champion Older Mare Fashionably Fab in the Belle Mahone (raced wide and off the pace before ending up fifth) said Caitlinhergrtness arrived back in his barn this year from WinStar a more developed filly.
Bloodhorse Daily Headlines — Sunday, June 1st
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