SBOA Stakes

The Inception of the SBOA Stakes

It all started with a phone call.  In 1997, Hall of Fame trainer Bob McIntosh phoned Doug Nash, manager of Glengate Farms and SBOA director at the time.  There were rumors that the Provincial Cup held in Windsor was going to be discontinued.   McIntosh was concerned and hoped something could be done to prevent the loss of this significant race.

As a result of that conversation, discussions ensued with Windsor management to see if there would be a willingness to sign over the Provincial Cup race to the SBOA.  However, due to renowned interest, Windsor Raceway decided to keep the Provincial Cup going.

During the late 1990’s, there was an extremely large discrepancy between the value of pacing fillies and pacing colts.  It was clearly evident that finding the means to host a feature race with a significant purse attached to it could boost the value of pacing fillies and put money back into the hands of breeders.  The SBOA recognizing this benefit, set out to find a way to make this happen.

A sub committee comprised of Doug Nash, Tom Milner and Keith Robinson was struck and the group set forth in hopes of securing a sponsor for the race.  After productive discussions with potential major sponsors, approval was given by the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) to support an SBOA Stakes race for three-year-old pacing fillies.

The first SBOA Stake for Ontario-sired three-year old pacing fillies was announced in January 1999 with eliminations of $25,000 held September 17th, 1999 and an estimated final of $160,000 held September 25th, 1999.

The following year, a $130,000 SBOA Stake for three-year old trotting fillies was announced which coincided with $130,000 SBOA Stake for three-year old pacing fillies on September 23rd, 2000 at Mohawk Raceway.  The SBOA Stakes remain a popular and successful event with many of the winning fillies going on to become high quality productive broodmares.

2018 SBOA Stakes Winners

Stakes season is officially underway at Woodbine Mohawk Park thanks to the three-year-old fillies that battled in Saturday’s SBOA Finals.

Illusioneesta celebrated the biggest victory of her career thanks to her facile triumph in the $113,792 SBOA Final for trotters.

Dalliance Seelster shot to the early lead before making a break going into the opening turn, and that left the top spot to Miss Mimi. She rolled by the opening quarter in :29.2 before race favourite Illusioneesta pocket-popped and sped to the top. She put the field to sleep through middle fractions of 1:00.2 and 1:29.4, but then stormed home in :28.2 to win by two lengths over Miss Mimi in 1:58.1. Taking home third prize was Apprentice M.

Harbor Racing Stable LLC and ASA Farm share ownership on the three-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Shesa Priority who is trained by Per Henriksen. After going 0-for-10 as a rookie, Illusioneesta has put together a 2-2-0 record from four starts this season. Her bankroll climbed to $178,568 with the win.

Percy Bluechip was bet off the board in her SBOA Final, and she didn’t disappoint for the tandem of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

The O’Brien Award-winning lass was roughed up to make the front, however, as Quite A Sight left her parked out past the quarter pole in :26.2. The battle raged on as they entered the backstretch, and it wasn’t until about the three-eighths pole before Percy Bluechip clawed her way to the front.

The daughter of Shadow Play-Advantest had the field chasing her through middle panels of :54.1 and 1:23.4 before she kicked it into another gear and powered home in :28 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Sudden Passing in 1:51.4. Quite A Sight weakened late and settled for third.

“I can tell you right now I like her very much,” said Filion. “It was her first start of the year and we got stung a bit to the quarter, but when she cleared she felt very good and when I asked her around the last turn she just took off.”

Shadow Two Stable, Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc and James & Wilma MacKenzie share ownership on the six-time winner who lifted her lifetime earnings to $498,691 with the triumph.

 

Check Out The SBOA Stakes Past Winners

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