TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Going the Distance

It wasn’t exactly a knockout performance from Butterbean, but the filly did just enough to hold on for a half-length win in Saturday’s $150,000 Mistletoe Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred closed with the seventh-lowest odds in the field of 10, well behind 5-2 favourite Ice Orchid. However, Butterbean was able to flip the script thanks to a patient ride from jockey Julien Leparoux.

Saturday’s victory was Butterbean’s second of the 2023 campaign, and fifth overall through 16 starts. The Mistletoe, which represents the Kenneth McPeek trainee’s fourth career stakes win, proved to be a strong bounceback effort after two middling performances in the Iowa Distaff and H. B. P. A Stakes.

At 11-1, Butterbean paid a cool $24.60.

Always in Season

Fashionably Fab fronted Saturday’s $100,000 La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine to extend her win streak to four.

After a rocky first two starts to 2023, the Kevin Attard trainee has been nothing short of outstanding in what will surely be remembered as a special sophomore campaign.

Fashionably Fab’s stretch of brilliance started back on Sept. 12 in the Rondeau Bay Stakes at Fort Erie. A nose score led the way for subsequent scores in the Eternal Search, Ashbridges Bay, and now La Prevoyante Stakes.

The 3-year-old has now found herself in the money in nine of her 11 career starts, going 7-0-2 in that span.

Given her sparkling resume, it’s no surprise the La Prevoyante win paid a modest $5.60.

Catiche showed no signs of rust in her return to action this past Saturday at Turfway Park.

After a nearly seven-month layoff, the 4-year-old filly edged 3-5 favorite Mouffy to take home the $125,000 My Charmer Stakes. Closing as the 6-1 second choice, Catiche reminded horsepeople and bettors alike that she’s got a nose for the podium.

In 11 career starts, the Michael Stidham trainee has missed out on the money just twice, going 3-5-1. Although a graded win still eludes her, Catiche appears headed in the right direction should the opportunity arise.

Saturday’s win paid $14.62.

It Doesn’t Matter how you Win…

6-5 favorite Noted needed every last ounce of gas to fend off 26-1 long shot Reminder in the $125,000 Pulpit Stakes at Gulfstream on Saturday.

Coming off a disappointing ninth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3, Noted was in desperate need of a bounceback performance, even if it ended up being a lot closer than most may have expected.

Prior to the BC Juvenile and Pulpit, the 2-year-old colt raced four times (2-2-0), all at different venues. He captured the Sapling Stakes on Aug. 26 at Keeneland before finishing second by one length in the Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland on Oct. 8.

The weekend win, which pushed Noted’s career line to 3-2-0 in six attempts, paid a casual $4.40.

Back on Track

Secret Reserve tapped into his winning ways on Sunday afternoon at Woodbine to put an end a 10-race winless drought that stretched back to last September.

At 4-1, the Michael Mattine disciple bested the field of eight to score the $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes by a head over 14-1 challenger Grandson.

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Secret Reserve through 21 career starts, but the 5-year-old has still battled his way into the money 13 times (6-1-6). The Steady Growth score ranks up there with Elgin and Lake Superior Stakes’ victories in 2021, and just below the 2022 Bold Venture Stakes (G3).

The victory that put Secret Reserve back in the win column paid $9.60.