Lucky Score, trained by dual hall of famer Mark Casse, scored top prize in Saturday’s $200,000 Highlander Stakes (G2), at Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario.

It was a cavalry charge for the lead in the six-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up contested over a firm E.P. Taylor Course, with Cadamosto, Outlaw Kid and mutuel choice One Timer tussling for top spot. Cadamosto emerged with a short advantage through an opening quarter in :22.01 as Outlaw Kid, in the middle, and One Timer, to the outside, continued to apply pressure after a half in :44.24.

Rounding the turn for home, One Timer emerged with the lead and attempted to draw from his rivals, but graded stakes-placed Oceanic and graded stakes winner Lucky Score soon came calling, and began their own battle to the wire, with the latter prevailing by a half-length in a time of 1:07.86. One Timer, who arrived on a two-race win streak, was third, and Old Chestnut finished fourth.

Bred in Ontario by Shannondoe Farm principals James Everatt, Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Lucky Score won his second Graded event at Woodbine since last September when the bay gelding rallied to take the Vigil (G3) over the Woodbine Tapeta.

“He’s a horse that comes off the pace,” said Sahin Civaci, who one race earlier piloted Casse trainee Solo Album to victory in the $150,000 Selene Stakes (G3). “It takes him a while to get rolling and luckily there was a lot of speed up front today so that helped a lot. It was just about finding the right position and a clear path getting to the wire before they get there.”
It was the sixth career victory in 15 starts for the 5-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky–Miss Matzo, owned by Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Pantofel Stable LLC.

“I had a lot of horse,” noted Civaci. “I just needed to get after him a little bit and I saw that the six (Oceanic) was fighting back. He kicked on and he fought good, so we got up front.”

edited Woodbine Press Release