Aweseometank, second behind Sistercharlie, to Woodbine Mile

This Saturday at Woodbine, Awesometank, a 4-year-old daughter of Intense Focus, will look to do one better than in her impressive Grade 1 effort last time out.

Owned by Lee Yuk Lun Alan, and trained by William Haggas, the dark bay heads into the Grade 1, $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile off an outstanding North American debut in the Beverly D. Stakes on August 10 at Arlington.

Under Florent Geroux, 15-1 shot Awesometank finished second to favored Sistercharlie in the 1 3/16-mile turf feature in Illinois.

England-based Haggas was ecstatic with the performance of the British-bred miss.

“She ran a terrific race in Chicago,” he said. “She took to the training really well. As soon as she got there, she loved being ponied on the track. She was relaxed and calm. I knew she was going to run well because she’d gone into the race well.”

Prior to a seventh-place effort in the Group 2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile at Ascot in July, Awesometank finished second in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes on June 1 at Epsom.

Last year, she took the Coral Distaff at Sandown Park, and in May of this year, she was victorious in the Conqueror Stakes at Goodwood.

In the latter, Awesometank dueled with a rival in the late stages, eventually getting the better of that foe, before Anna Nerium came calling late. At the wire, Awesometank held on for a gutsy head score in the one-mile race run over ‘good’ going.

A five-time winner, along with five seconds, the filly appears to be on the right track heading into her Canadian debut. Haggas also believes the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course suits his starter well.

“It’s a big, galloping track,” he noted. “And that’s what she’s used to.”

The accomplished trainer knows Awesometank will have to step up her game on Saturday afternoon at Canada’s Showplace of Racing. After contesting the Mile, she’ll head south of the border to continue her North American racing career.

“We’ve had her from a yearling,” said Haggas. “She’s always been a very sound, very tough, very consistent filly. She upgraded her performances in Chicago. The plan is to leave her in America now. After she runs in Canada, she’ll go down to Keeneland to run. We’ll take it from there.”