Elysian Field came with a furious rally down the center of the course to win the G3 Seaway Stakes by a length at Woodbine on Saturday, Aug. 23.
The talented daughter of Hard Spun, who was Canada’s Champion three-year-old filly in 2023, led home a Darley-sired exacta with Ticker Tape Home (Medaglia d’Oro) taking home place honors.
At the start, it was Olivia Rose and Stormcast, like Elysian Field and Ticker Tape Home, all trained by Mark Casse, which shot to the front to set the pace. Ticker Tape Home sat just behind them in third, with Elysian Field settled into sixth through the opening quarter-mile.
The Casse trio continued to show the way – in the same order – through a half in :44.68, as Elysian Field began to make steady gains with a five-wide move midway through the far turn. With less than a furlong to run, Elysian Field hit the front, as Ticker Tape Home and Stormcast tried to re-rally to her inside.
Elysian Field arrived at the wire, a one-length winner. Ticker Tape Home was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Stormcast.
The final time was 1:21.87.
Elysian Field was bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms and is out of the mare Elysian, by Smart Strike. Elysian’s dam, the Stakes-winning mare, Initiation, is herself a half-sister to Stakes winners Multiple Choice (G3 Jaipur), Silver City and Inspired. Elysian is also a half to the mare, Treasure (Medaglia d’Oro), dam of National Treasure, Eclipse Champion older dirt male of 2024 and winner of the G1 Preakness, G1 Met Mile, and G1 Pegasus World Cup.
Elysian Field is the fourth Stakes winners for her sire, Hard Spun, since the first of August. In addition to the Seaway winner, Hard Spun is the sire of Gas Me Up, winner of the G2 King Edward Stakes, Highway Robber, winner of the Listed KY Downs Preview Turf Cup and Pondering, who captured the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint.
