“Great mindset” Sav takes on five in Ballade Stakes

Sav, a five-year-old daughter of Big Screen, goes after her second added-money title in Saturday’s $100,000 Ballade Stakes, at Woodbine.

A six-furlong main track event for Ontario Sired fillies & mares, three-year-olds and upward, the Ballade has attracted six starters.

Trained by Ricky Griffith for owner Steven Duffield, Sav has compiled a record of 5-6-2 from 16 career starts. The grey, who has never finished lower than fifth, won the 2019 running of the La Prevoyante Stakes.

“Sav has a great mindset, nothing really bothers her,” offered Griffith. “My eight-year-old daughter could lead her around the barn.”

Bred in Ontario by Spring Farm, Sav burst out of the gate in impressive fashion, notching a 6 ½-length victory at 4 ½ panels on the Woodbine Tapeta in her debut on June 3, 2018. She paid $25.80 for the win.

After a fifth in her second start, the My Dear Stakes, Sav concluded her two-year-old campaign with a runner-up effort in the Shady Well Stakes.

In 2019, Sav went 3-3-1 from eight starts and followed it up with a 1-2-1 mark from four starts last year, including a third in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion Stakes on September 26.

She kicked off her 2021 campaign with a fourth in a turf sprint at Gulfstream on May 30.

“Her consistency is a 100 percent,” said Griffith. “She has a big heart and is a true racehorse. Over the years we’ve tried to point her in the right races and overall it has worked out well for everyone around her.”

Sav, Hip No. 217, was a $28,000 purchase at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Div.) 2017 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

She made an immediate impression on her connections and others.

“Everyone in the barn loves her,” said Griffith. “It’s safe to say she’s probably the barn favourite. I have a special bond with her. I bought her as a yearling for Steve, who named her after his granddaughter. We all liked her from day one.”

The Ballade is race three on Saturday’s 11-race card. First post time is 1:10 p.m.