Woodbine ran two of three planned graded-stakes races Saturday before canceling racing following the fatal breakdowns of two horses in separate races.

Elysian Field, under Sahin Civaci, rallied impressively to take the Grade 3, US $114,664 Maple Leaf Stakes.

Trained by Mark Casse for Gary Barber and Team Valor International, the 4-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of the Smart Strike mare Elysian came into the 1 1/4-mile main track test for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, off a second in the Ontario Matron Stakes (G3) on Sept. 14.

Last year’s Woodbine Oaks winner and King’s Plate runner-up was at the top of her game in the Maple Leaf.

Sent off at 3-1, Elysian Field settled near the back in the 11-horse field (Tito’s Calling and Selenaia were scratched). It was a pair of long shots, Aha Moment, and Ecstasy, who tussled on the front end past the wire for the first time, followed by this year’s King’s Plate champ and 5-2 mutuel choice Caitlinhergrtness, who crossed over from the outside post quickly to settle in third.

Aha Moment held a half-length lead over Ecstasy after an opening quarter in 23.54 seconds, while Elysian Field sat ninth.

The freewheeling pacesetters continued their tete-a-tete through a half in 47.12 seconds, but Caitlinhergrtness was waiting to pounce and was given her cue to take over the proceedings past the three-eighths.

It appeared stablemate and multiple graded stakes winner Fashionably Fab presented the main danger, but a host of rivals, including Elysian Field, widest of all contenders, defending Maple Leaf winner Millie Girl, and Queen Regent, had all hit their stride and were all coming with energetic runs.

At the wire, Elysian Field, who secured the lead 70 yards out, was a 1 1/4-length winner over Millie Girl, who was a half-length clear of Queen Regent. Caitlinhergrtness was fourth.

The final time was 2:02.14.

“Today, we popped out of the gate well and there were some horses hustling for the lead,” said Civaci. “I was happy settling back and watching everything unfold. I had a lot of horse. I just had to follow the right horse. I saw (jockey) Oisin Murphy (aboard Queen Regent), his horse was pretty good, so I followed him, and we found a path and she kicked off down the lane.”

“She’s a very professional horse. It’s always nice to sit on these types of horses, they do what you ask. She has some class, and she knows how to run.”

Bred by Anderson Farms Ont., the chestnut filly, who was contesting her third consecutive graded affair, now has a mark of 14: 4-6-0. She was a $70,000 purchase at the 2022 OBS June 2-year-olds and horses of racing age sale. ?

Elysian Field paid $8.70 for the win.

Stormcast takes it to them in Bessarabian

Stormcast took control early and was full of vigor down the lane to win Saturday’s Grade 3, US $110,184 Bessarabian Stakes.

It was a spirited start to the seven-furlong main track event for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and upward, with Stormcast, second choice at 3-1, rocketing up the rail to grab the lead and then taking her rivals, including Metaphysical, in second, and Storm Miami, sitting third, through an opening panel in 23.60 seconds. ?

In rein to Rafael Hernandez, Stormcast continued to cruise along comfortably and was a length ahead of her closest pursuer after a half in 46.62 seconds.

Still unfettered on the front end, the 3-year-old daughter of Mitole out of the Quiet American mare Scolara rounded the turn with authority and remained resolute down the lane to notch a half-length win in a time of 1:22.43. Love to Shop, the 5-2 mutuel choice was second, Tripolina was third and Storm Miami finished fourth. Owen’s Tour Guide fell ahead of the turn for home and was humanely euthanized.

It was the second straight stakes victory on the day for trainer Mark Casse, who won the Grade 3 Maple Leaf with Elysian Field one race earlier.

And just like her stablemate Elysian Field, it was the first graded triumph for Stormcast, whose initial stakes success came in the $250,000 Bison City Stakes, second race in the Canadian Triple Tiara series, on Aug. 10 at Woodbine.

Owned by K E M Racing Stable, Stormcast, bred in Ontario by Dr. Tan Hyka, was a $95,000 purchase at the 2023 OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training.

She is now 8: 3-4-1.

Stormcast paid $8.40 for the win. Dolce Sopresa and Sunday Shoes were scratched, the former at the gate.