To view a video replay of the Canadian Stakes, click here.

by Mike Curry

Champion Forever Together took the lead in the final furlong of the Canadian Stakes (Can-G2), but she was denied a trip to the winner’s circle by a determined rally on the inside by 15.05-to-1 longshot Princess Haya on Sunday at Woodbine.

Forever Together surged alongside Much Obliged in the long Woodbine stretch while Princess Haya dug in gamely from along the rail. Forever Together pushed her head in front of Much Obliged, but Princess Haya emerged victorious from the thrilling three-horse battle with a final surge to win by a nose.

A four-year-old Street Cry (Ire) filly trained by Michael Matz, Princess Haya earned her first career stakes victory by completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:45.03 on firm turf. She entered off a runner-up finish, beaten by seven lengths, in the off-the-turf Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes on August 2 at Monmouth Park.

Princess Haya also finished second in the off-the-turf John W. Rooney Memorial Stakes in June at Delaware Park, but in between the Rooney and the Matchmaker, she won a turf allowance race at 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth on July 5.

With the Canadian victory, Texas-bred Princess Haya improved to four wins, four seconds, and two thirds in 13 career starts and more than doubled her earnings to $307,363 for owner-breeder Eileen Hartis. She is out of the winning Slew City Slew mare Sally Slew.

Forever Together, who cemented the Eclipse Award as champion turf female last year with a win in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), finished second as the 3-to-10 favorite while conceding 11 pounds to the winner.

Forever Together has two wins and two seconds in four starts this season for trainer Jonathan Sheppard and owner Augustin Stable. She entered the Canadian Stakes off a victory in the Diana Stakes (G1) on August 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

Forever Together was a head in front of third-place finisher Much Obliged, who closed from sixth under Patrick Husbands but could not sustain her bid in the final furlong. Points of Grace finished fourth after pressing pacesetter Laomaki through a half-mile in :48.44.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor