Beyond The Win: Juvenile Filly Made A ‘Wicked’ Comeback At Woodbine

Of the 13 training wins star-on-the-rise Cole Bennett recorded in 2020, it was a 1 ½-length score on Nov. 8 at Woodbine that stands out as the most meaningful.

The seventh race, run just over a month ago at the Toronto oval, attracted 12 starters for the $64,300 1 1/16-mile main track maiden optional claiming event.

Ms Wicked, a dark bay daughter of War Dancer, left from gate 11 in the two-turn race with Patrick Husbands in the irons.

Sent on her way at 6-1, the Ontario-bred, owned at the time by Centennial Farms Inc., and campaigned by Bennett, rallied from last at the half-mile call to break her maiden in what was her fourth career start, a 1 ½-length triumph that earned her connections $30,240.

That she won the race wasn't a longshot surprise. That she was in it most certainly was.

“Six horses that we ran after we got out of the quarantine for herpes, we won four races within the first two weeks of when we were able to start up again,” recalled Bennett. “One of those horses was Ms Wicked. She's a filly I bought as a yearling that I sold to Centennial. She contracted herpes and ended up at the University of Guelph… she wasn't doing well when she got there.”

At one point during her stay at Guelph's world-renowned veterinary hospital, Bennett figured the 2-year-old might succumb to the virus.

The one thing the filly did have in her favor was an attitude that matched her name.

“She ended up fighting her way through it, she's a really tough little you-know-what,” said Bennett with a laugh. “She lives up to her name. She is wicked to deal with. Everything is difficult with her. She can be really nasty, but all of it in a really good racehorse kind of a way.”

When Ms Wicked, bred by Janeane Everatt, James Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse, returned to her stall on the Woodbine backstretch, Bennett and his crew didn't set any expectations for the rookie filly.

Simply having her back in the fold was enough for the conditioner.

“In the spring, I had her at the racetrack and I thought she was my best 2-year-old,” offered Bennett. “Centennial bought her a week prior to when she had to go to Guelph. We weren't sure what was going to happen to her. We were just going to take care of her the best we could. We were going to do right by her.”

Soon enough, however, Ms Wicked, a half-sister to Aheadbyacentury (second in the 2018 Queen's Plate) would once again beat the odds.

Bennett was initially speechless at what he was seeing.

“It was incredible. From the time she got back, to after she was recovered and cleared, it was amazing… she was back breezing three weeks after she came back from Guelph. This was a horse that went to Guelph and couldn't walk in a straight line. She could hardly stand up and needed to be supported to stand up properly. She was there for about a week and a half, and then we get back to the racetrack. I'm not thinking she's going to make it back to the races. And there we are, three weeks later, breezing her. It was just incredible. It shows you the heart and soul these horses have, that willingness to fight and never give up.”

It also provided Bennett some invaluable life and work lessons.

“For me, all the horses coming back, and being able to train them was just such a good feeling. There were two weeks we weren't training and I was sitting in the barn thinking that it was the end of our year. I truly believed it. A lot of those horses, we didn't figure they were going to make it, or ever make it back to the racetrack. Then you add the pandemic into the mix and it was just crazy stress, things that keep you up all night. To see how she didn't give up, it's a good reminder for yourself.”

He'll no doubt often think of Ms Wicked's journey from a hospital room to the winner's circle in the months leading up to the anticipated opening day for the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet.

Not all cherished victories, he acknowledged, come in stakes races.

“You just have to keep pushing through all the time. No matter what happens, you just have to focus on your horses and do what's best for them. Ultimately, when you go through something like this with a horse, you come out the other side better and stronger.”

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Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions Announces 2021 Stud Fees

New York stallion farm Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions has released its 2021 stud fees and roster. Headlined by War Dancer (War Front) at $7,500, the stallion roster includes five stallions that previously stood with Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions and one new sire, Lookin At Lee (Lookin At Lucky), a multiple Grade I-placed placed millionaire and 2017 GI Kentucky Derby runner-up who will begin his career at the Saratoga area stallion station and stand for $6,500 LFSN.

He joins a roster that boasts leading New York sire Big Brown (Boundary, $5,000), current leading New York freshman sire War Dancer, perennial leading New York sire of winners Bellamy Road (Concerto, $5,000) and 2019 leading New York freshman sire Majestic City (City Zip, $2,500). Weekend Hideaway (Speightstown, $2,500) will have his first runners hit the track in 2022.

The stallions are physically located at Irish Hill Century farm located at 221 Burke Road, Stillwater, NY 12170 and are available for inspection by potential breeders on request. Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions will work closely with breeders to mitigate any COVID-19 impacts while offering incentives for qualifying mares and multiple mare discounts across the entire roster. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions will be holding a Virtual Stallion Show this year, which will be made available on Facebook, Twitter and on the farm’s website.

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Irish Hill And Dutchess Views Stallions Reveal 2021 Stud Fees; Announce Virtual Stallion Show

Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions LLC announced 2021 stud fees for the New York stallions they will manage in 2021.

The stallion roster includes five horses that previously stood with Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions. Lookin At Lee, a multiple Grade 1-placed millionaire and 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands runner up will begin his career at the Saratoga-area stallion station.

He joins a roster that boasts current New York-leading sire Big Brown, current leading New York freshman sire War Dancer, perennial leading New York sire of winners Bellamy Road and 2019 leading New York freshman sire Majestic City. Weekend Hideaway will have his first runners hit the track in 2022.

The stallions are physically located at Irish Hill Century farm located at 221 Burke Road, Stillwater, NY 12170. They are available for inspection by potential breeders on request.

Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions LLC will work closely with breeders to mitigate any COVID-19 impacts while offering incentives for qualifying mares and multiple mare discounts across the entire roster.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions LLC will be holding a virtual stallion show this year. Please follow the farm on Facebook (@IrishHillandDutchessViewsStallionsLLC) and Twitter (@IHDVStallions) for further announcements on the date of the show.

The virtual stallion show will be made available on Facebook, Twitter and on the farm's website (www.IHDVStallions.com). The farm will be reimagining their stallion show raffle for free seasons and distribution of special stallion show pricing.

The 2021 stud fees will be:

War Dancer                        $7,500 LFSN

Lookin at Lee (NEW)        $6,500 LFSN

Bellamy Road                    $5,000 LFSN

Big Brown                           $5,000 LFSN

Majestic City                     $2,500 LFSN

Weekend Hideaway        $2,500 LFSN

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War Dancer Sires First Stakes Winner in Awad

Step Dancer became the first winner for his freshman sire (by War Front) when he led home a one-two for War Dancer on debut Sept. 4, and he gave the MGSW turf router a first black-type victory Saturday. Third in the GII Pilgrim S. Oct. 3, the bay worked his way to the rail from the seven post while traveling towards the back half of the field early here. He snuck a bit closer heading for the home turn, and remained inside for the stretch run as he waited for a seam. Like a Saltshaker moved first and too the lead, and when he opened up, he drifted off the fence, allowing Step Dancer room to run. The latter charged through on the rail, and had more than Like a Saltshaker could handle late. Both of the top two finishers were produced by freshman sons of War Front.

“I saw Jose [Ortiz, aboard Like a Saltshaker] looking for some room and I was just making sure I had some options in front of me,” said winning rider Dylan Davis. “Jose was able to get through, so I followed him and I thought something else might open up, and it did. He just loved the ground. He kept finding more and more. I was very impressed with him today. It was just like how he wowed me first time out. He really stepped up again today.”

Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg, who was in Kentucky with GI Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Tiz the Law (Constitution), added, “Last time we, we stayed a little too close to the pace and we thought we had to on the inner turf, but it took away from his kick. Today, I told Dylan [Davis] I wanted him five lengths off the pace and to find a spot and don’t ask him until he turns for home. He came home with a great kick. He doesn’t need to get to the outside. He showed that he’s game and he can do whatever you want.”

AWAD S., $80,000, Belmont, 10-31, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:48.69, yl.
1–STEP DANCER, 120, c, 2, by War Dancer
                1st Dam: Just Be Steppin, by English Channel
                2nd Dam: War Indian, by Indian Charlie
                3rd Dam: Kadwah, by Mr. Prospector
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Hayward R. & Donna R. Pressman &
Diamond M Stable; B-Sugar Plum Farm & Richard Pressman
(NY); T-Barclay Tagg; J-Dylan Davis. $44,000. Lifetime Record:
GSP, 3-2-0-1, $96,100.
2–Like a Saltshaker, 122, g, 2, Peace and Justice–With Sprinkles,
by Harlan’s Holiday. O-Magic Oaks; B-Glenn E. Brok LLC (PA);
T-Adam Rice. $16,000.
3–Space Launch, 120, c, 2, Bernardini–Spacy Tracy, by
Awesome Again. O-Athlone Racing & Daniel & Jane Burke;
B-Daniel J. Burke (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $9,600.
Margins: 3/4, 3 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 7.00, 15.50, 3.95.
Also Ran: Wootton Asset (Fr), It Can Be Done, Shawdyshawdyshawdy, It’s a Gamble, Catman, Kidnapped, Claw, Heat of the Night. Scratched: Master of the Ring, Take Profit.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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