Sweater Weather Prevails at Woodbine

Trained by Bob Tiller for owner Frank Di Giulio Jr., Sweater Weather arrived at the 1 1/16-miles 'Poly' stake for Ontario-sired sophomore fillies from a third-place effort against older company when sprinting on June 29.

It was the second stakes appearance for Sweater Weather who was defeated a nose by Eternal Search rival On Rainbow Bridge in the seven furlong Lady Angela Stakes on June 7.

Justin Stein sent Niigon's Queen's to the lead through splits of :23.70 and :47.38 in the Eternal Search with Bear's Pride pressing her early pace on the outside and Wild Catomine to her inside.  

Sweater Weather, with Patrick Husbands up, settled into fourth position along the rail and saved all the ground down the backstretch.

Luis Contreras urged Flipcup into contention through the turn as Husbands tipped Sweater Weather off the rail and engaged that rival for a lengthy stretch battle, separating themselves from the rest of the field, with Sweater Weather earning a half-length score.  On Rainbow Bridge rallied for third, five lengths back of Flipcup.  Sweater Weather covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.22.

The victory marked the second score around two-turns for the Milwaukee Brew bay in two attempts.

 

"She was relaxed the whole way," said Husbands. "I knew Justin's horse (Niigon's Queen) was going to come back, and I didn't want to get stuck behind him.  I was inside of Luis so I let my filly have a couple of strides and let Luis inside of me and then switched to the outside. Luis tried to get up at the quarter pole and I said, 'Let's go.' She ran game and gutsy and Luis' horse never gave up."

Sweater Weather, bred in Ontario by Osprey Stable, banked $75,000 in victory while improving her record to 3-3-1 from seven starts.

She paid $15.90, $6.10 and $3.40, combining with Flipcup ($4, $2.60) for a $42.20 (2-3) exactor.  A 2-3-5 (On Rainbow Bridge, $3.50) triactor was worth $149.80.