Ontario Sire Heritage Series finishes with a flourish, Friday at Woodbine
At 1h10, on November 18, 2021 • By WOODBINE
A pair of main track stakes, the Lake Ontario and Ashbridges Bay, share top billing on Friday’s eight-race card at Woodbine.
The 1 1/16-mile Tapeta events represent the finale of the Ontario Sire Heritage Series, an eight-leg stakes series open to Ontario Sired three-year-olds, contested at Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks.
Ontario Racing and its Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) Committee unveiled the series in March. With a total purse structure of $750,000, the Heritage Series showcases a total of four races – three opening legs and one final – for both three-year-old colts and three-year-old fillies who are sustained to the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
The $100,000 Lake Ontario, carded as race seven, has attracted a field of six colts & geldings, including Secret Reserve.
Trained by Mike Mattine for owners Carlo D’Amato and Stacey Van Camp, the son of Giant Gizmo is riding a three-race win streak heading into the Lake Ontario.
After a fifth to launch his three-year-old campaign, Secret Reserve has made three straight trips to the winner’s circle, including victories in the seven-furlong main track Elgin Stakes on August 29, and most recently, a two-length score in the Lake Superior Stakes, run at seven panels over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course on October 22.
“Every one of the wins was different and special,” said Mattine. “He just keeps on improving. Last year as a baby, I could tell he was a good horse, when he started breezing. He’s been very good this year. When he goes out and trains, he’s all business.”
Friday’s engagement marks the first time Secret Reserve, bred by Dr. Brian Van Arem, will test two turns.
