Double duty into Canada for the Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) delivered a one-two finish for West Point Thoroughbreds and trainer Miguel Clement on Saturday as Les Reys upstaged her stablemate Gal in a Rush by three-quarters of a length.
French import Les Reys was securing her first Graded stakes victory. She previously was a Listed stakes winner in her French finale and again in the Winter Memories Stakes at Aqueduct last September in her North American debut for WPT and co-owners Peter Leidel and Winters Equine.
Les Reys had a good inside trip under leading jockey Rafael Hernandez and found a seam at just the right time in the stretch, propelling her to the front.
Hernandez said, “Miguel called me today and he told me, ‘Rafi, just get a good break and try to cover up a little bit and at the top of the lane, just try to find a way out of there and do the best you can. You can see today, I just covered up all the way. We had a good trip and held our position. When it was time to go, we split horses, and she did the rest.”
It was another strong performance for Gal in a Rush, who scored her first Graded stakes win over the same track at Woodbine in the 2024 Hendrie Stakes (G3). Leading into Saturday’s race, she broke through at the Grade 2 level on September 19, prevailing in the Masters Stakes at Presque Isle.
Gal in a Rush shipped to Kentucky after the Ontario Fashion and will be offered in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Les Reys improved to 5 wins in 12 career starts and earnings of $248,201. She has returned to Miguel’s barn at Saratoga.