TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Hooked on a Feeling

It may have taken a few tries, but once Millie Girl got her first taste of graded stakes glory, she couldn’t let the feeling go.

The 5-year-old won her second career graded bout, and second in a row, this past Saturday at Woodbine. With Rafael Hernandez calling the shots, Millie Girl took care of business against a deep 12-horse field to secure the $150,000 Maple Leaf Stakes (G3).

Millie Girl had no problem carrying the momentum over from October’s Ontario Matron (G3) en route to a comfortable two-length score. Now through 10 career starts, the filly has yet to miss the podium, running to a 5-2-3 line.

Given her remarkably consistent form, Millie Girl (6-5) paid a modest $4.50 for the win.

All in the Family

Woodbine’s Saturday card was truly a banner day for the Hard Spun bloodline.

After watching Millie Girl cruise to victory in the Maple Leaf, it was Loyalty’s turn to put on a show in the $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes (G2).

Also closing as the favourite, Loyalty (3-1) didn’t endure the same kind of smooth sailing as her family member, at least initially. Working through a crowded 13-horse field, the Florida-bred mare hung around mid-pack before kicking it into gear at the stretch call.

The late, but timely surge afforded Loyalty enough time to slide past the pack for a 1 ½-length score. Saturday’s effort improved the 4-year-old’s career line to 7-0-2 from 11 starts, while also adding multiple graded stakes winner to her resume.

Loyalty paid $8.10 for the win.

Doorbuster

For Smokin’ T, the fourth time’s the charm.

The colt can finally be called a graded stakes winner thanks to a breakthrough triumph in the River City Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs this past Saturday.

In his previous three attempts at a graded win, Smokin’ T finished fourth in the American Turf (G2T), third in the Mint Millions (G3T), and third again in the Baltimore/Washington International Turf (G3) on Sept. 16.

Knocking at the door wasn’t getting it done, so the 4-year-old decided it was time to kick it down instead. The weekend win was Smokin’ T’s third of 2023, and fifth in 15 runs overall.

A $2 win bet on Smokin’ T at 4-1 paid $10.54.

Something Left in the Tank

Master Piece (CHI) was the centre piece everyone was talking about on Saturday at Aqueduct.

The 7-year-old colt, who began competing on the North American circuit in 2020, scored a victory in his first career run at Aqueduct. The Chilean-bred prevailed by a neck over 9-5 favourite Soldier Rising (GB) in the $300,000 Red Smith (G2T).

It’s not often that you see a horse of that age and experience (26 career starts) outduel a young buck, especially one the calibre of Solider Rising, but Master Piece, at 10-1, had just enough left in the tank to get the job done.

The well-traveled South American star paid a handsome $23.60 for career win number seven.

Seize the Moment

R Calli Kim didn’t compete in a graded stakes until her 13^th career start, but when the time finally came, the 6-year-old was more than ready to rise to the occasion.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Aqueduct, R Calli Kim earned the first graded win of her career in the $300,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T). Despite her inexperience at the level, her previous body of work made her a popular choice amongst oddsmakers and bettors, closing at even odds.

At 41-1, Rhombique finished 2 ½-lengths behind R Calli Kim for an impressive second-place finish ahead of 2-1 Vergara.

Alone, R Calli Kim paid $4.40 for the win, while a $2 4-5 exacta returned $81.50.