Elysian Field turned back the clock once again at Woodbine as she pounced from just off the pace to win the $150,000 Belfountain Stakes by two-and-three-quarter lengths at Woodbine Race Course on Sept. 13.
The ultra-consistent daughter of Hard Spun, who won the Sovereign Award as Champion three-year-old filly in Canada in 2023, has now won Stakes races from ages three through six.
A competitive field of eight fillies and mares went to the post in the nine-furlong turf contest, and at the start it was Scat Girl that went to the front to set the pace. Elysian Field was settled mid-pack and on the inside by jockey Fraser Aebly, content to Scat Girl and Fortyfiveseventy battle it out on the front end.
Elysian Field began advancing while gradually moving out late on the far turn, then swung out five- to six-deep as the runners hit the top of the stretch. Elysian Field swept past Scat Girl and Fortyfiveseventy in deep stretch on her way to posting a two-and-three-quarter length victory. Just Magnificent rallied to take second, with Fortyfiveseventy holding onto third.
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 second Stakes winner of the weekend for her sire, Hard Spun, joining Built, winner of the Listed Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 12. The duo is among the eight Stakes winners this year for their sire, who is also represented by Gas Me Up (G2 King Edward), Moon Spun (G2 Unbridled Sydney S.), Bold Journey (G3 Tom Fool), and Runaway Again (G3 Dominion Day S.).
