NEWS
Nicki Knew pulls mild upset in Bison City
Posted: Sunday, June 29, 2008 7:30 PM
NICKI KNEW
Michael Burns photo
by Myra Lewyn
Knob Hill Stable’s homebred Nicki Knew caught runner-up Authenicat inside the final sixteenth and shook clear late to earn her first stakes victory in the $248,142 Bison City Stakes, the second leg of Woodbine’s Triple Tiara for Canadian-bred three-year-old fillies.
Nicki Knew cruised across the finish line for a 1¼-length score and covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.82 on the synthetic Polytrack surface.
The fifth wagering choice at 7.65-to-1, Nicki Knew entered off fifth-place finish to Ginger Brew in the series’ first leg, the Woodbine Oaks on June 6. Woodbine Oaks winner Ginger Brew’s connections elected to run her against males on June 22 in the Queen’s Plate and she finished second, a head behind Not Bourbon.
In the Bison City, Nicki Knew was last in the seven-filly field through six furlongs under James McAleney as Sugar Bay set the pace under pressure from 2.20-to-1 favorite Skipping Queen.
Nicki Knew methodically picked off four opponents on the second turn and took aim on Authenicat, who overhauled Sugar Bay in the stretch and led by a half-length. Skipping Queen faded late on the turn, and Nicki Knew closed five wide in the stretch and gradually wore down Authenicat before surging clear.
“I was very happy with the way this filly was going into the race,” McAleney said. “[Trainer] Kevin [Attard] had her so happy and in such good order. A happy horse is dangerous. I said to him this morning, 'I wouldn't trade horses with anyone.' "
Authenicat, third in the Woodbine Oaks, finished a half-length in front of Oaks runner-up Victory Romance, who raced just off the early pace and closed from fourth in early stretch for third place. Skipping Queen finished sixth.
Ontario-bred Nicki Knew, by Tethra out to the San Romano mare Panteccaria, has raced exclusively at Woodbine and has won half of her six starts while earning $266,852. She finished second the Lady Angela Stakes on May 24.
The Triple Tiara concludes with the Wonder Where Stakes at 1 ¼ miles on July 26.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times Today editor
