HOLY HELENA (f, 3, Ghostzapper&log=">Ghostzapper–Holy Grace, by Holy Bull), a maiden winner last out, finished up strongly to capture the Woodbine Oaks in just her third career start for Stronach Stables and trainer Jimmy Jerkens. Running on well to be second at 14-1 in her unveiling Apr. 15 at Aqueduct, the dark bay graduated gamely stretching out to 1 1/16 miles May 12 at Belmont, earning a strong 86 Beyer for the effort. Made a 6-1 proposition in this stakes debut, the homebred came away well and settled in the third flight behind a sharp pace of :23.60 and :47.03. Advancing three-wide as the leader dropped away at the seven-sixteenths pole, Holy Helena followed the bid of Mythical Mission (Giant's Causeway) nearing the straightaway and swept past that one just outside the sixteenth marker en route to a one-length success in 1:50.18. It was a long way back to race favorite Inflexibility (Scat Daddy) in third. The win was the third in the Woodbine Oaks for Stronach after taking the trophy in 1999 and 2008, and the first for Jerkens. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $357,000. O-Stronach Stables; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-James A. Jerkens.[bullet ad=”adena-bred-and-raised”][bullet ad=”ontario-bred”]
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