A trio of Mark Casse horses led the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes early and it was a Casse trainee in the lead at the finish, with Skygaze, a daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, getting her first graded stakes victory at Woodbine Racetrack.
In the 10-furlong Maple Leaf, Broadway Lady took the lead in the race's opening furlong, Crystal Glacier and Skygaze traveling easily behind her. Broadway Lady set a slow pace, logging a first quarter in :24.93, a half-mile in :50.15, and six furlongs in 1:15.23, but Skygaze closed the gap easily on the far turn.
Skygaze moved easily to the lead at the one-mile mark, steadily gaining ground in the last quarter of a mile to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Sister Otoole rallied from far back to take second. Merveilleux came on late to finish third.
The final time for the 1 1/4-mile Maple Leaf was 2:03.65. Find this race's chart here.
Skygaze paid $8.30, $4.70, and $3.30. Sister Otoole paid $7.80 and $4.30. Merveilleux paid $4.40.
Bred in Kentucky by Normandy Farm, Skygaze is out of the Marquetry mare Skyscape. The 4-year-old filly was consigned by Gainesway and sold to owner Tracy Farmer for $300,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. With her win in the G3 Maple Leaf, Skygaze has three wins in five starts in 2021 for a lifetime record of six wins in 13 starts and career earnings of $281,684.
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