Woodbine: Elysian Field leads Casse trifecta in Seaway win

Elysian Field returned to winning form courtesy of a determined score Saturday as a supplement who led a Mark Casse trifecta in the Grade 3, US$129,518 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine.

Casse-trained stablemates Olivia Rose to the outside and Stormcast, the 9-5 favorite, charged to the front early in the seven-furlong, synthetic-track feature for fillies and mares. Fellow Casse trainee and defending Seaway winner Ticker Tape Home sat third, and Elysian Field settled into sixth through an opening quarter-mile in 22.42 seconds.

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The Casse trio continued to show the way in the same order through a half-mile in 44.68 seconds. Elysian Field, ridden by Pietro Moran, began to make steady gains with a five-wide move midway through the turn for home.

With fewer than 220 yards to run, Elysian Field struck the front. Ticker Tape Home and Stormcast looked to re-rally to her inside while A Little Frisky skimmed the rail looking to get into the mix.

Owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International, Elysian Field arrived at the finish line a one-length winner. Ticker Tape Home was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Stormcast. A Little Frisky was fourth. Weigh the Risks was scratched.

The final time was 1:21.87.

“Obviously there was a lot of speed in the race,” Moran said. “I was just trying to get her out, get her in a good spot where she was comfortable. We were in a great spot, and when I called upon her, she fired.”

Supplemented to the Seaway, the 5-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of Smart Strike mare Elysian is 16: 5-6-0. She returned to the races off an eight-month layoff when she finished ninth July 11 at Colonial Downs. Bred by Anderson Farms Ontario, the chestnut was the 2023 Woodbine Oaks winner and King’s Plate runner-up that year.

Elysian Field was a US$70,000 purchase at the June 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales auction of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age. She paid $9.00 for the Seaway win.