Storybook Love, the day three topper at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, won her career debut for Canadian owners on Thursday, June 19 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Trainer/driver Matt Bax ordered early speed from the filly, the 3-5 favourite in the $16,000 contest for two-year-old trotting fillies, and landed her in the pocket behind Miz Miracle (Jody Jamieson). The latter provided first-half fractions of :28.3 and :58.4 before Storybook Love blasted by her to take the lead on the final turn. Storybook Love reached three-quarters on top in 1:28.4 and turned for home with a cushion of multiple lengths. Longshot Cupid Hall (Rick Zeron), who fired out of fourth on the last bend, gave chase to the leader down the lane, but Storybook Love held her off and was wrapped under the line as she prevailed by a head in 1:58.1. Trinitys Diamond (Todd Ratchford) was best of the rest, 6-1/4 lengths back in third. 

Al Libfeld of Pickering, Ont. and Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. purchased Storybook Love, by Chapter Seven out of Stirling Debutant, for $283,784 at the 2024 Lexington sale, the highest price of the third session. Her mile time on Thursday was the fastest by a rookie trotting filly in Canada this season, displacing Ill Have The Red’s 1:58.4 effort from last week.

To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)