Hot Kiss won her fifth consecutive race while making her stakes debut in Sunday’s $118,000 Trillium Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mike DePaulo for Phoenix Racing, the four-year-old Philanthropist bay needed five attempts before breaking her maiden on July 17, 2015, but has only lost twice since in seven starts. Hot Kiss arrived at Sunday’s 1 1/16-mile Tapeta route from a commanding 3 ½-length score in her seasonal debut.
Once again piloted by Jesse Campbell, Hot Kiss raced from fourth position as mutuel favourite Academic battled Galina Point through a half-mile in :49.53. Galina Point took the field through the final turn but a rallying Sweater Weather and Hot Kiss made their presence felt with Campbell and charge securing a 1 ¾-length score. Sweater Weather earned place money by ¾-lengths over Galina Point. Hot Kiss covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:45.10.
Campbell was quick to thank the barn for keeping the temperamental filly in good order.
“The help does a great job with her,” said Campbell. “She isn’t the easiest filly in the morning, and you’ve got to give the gallop-boy a ton of credit. They do all the team-work, and I just pointed her the right way today.”
DePaulo was full of praise for the improving filly.
“We’re hoping she’s our replacement for (retired champion Pender Harbour),” said DePaulo. “She’s by Philanthropist, and she’s gotten better as she’s gotten older. And I think the way the track’s playing, it really suits her.”
Hot Kiss, bred in Ontario by Denny Andrews, banked $72,000 in victory while improving her record to 6-0-2 from 12 starts.
She paid $7.60, $4.50 and $3.30, combining with Sweater Weather ($13.10, $5.50) for a $123.30 (5-3) exactor. A 5-3-6 triactor (Galina Point, $3.90 to show) was worth $691.60, while a $1 Superfecta [5-3-6-8 (Don’t Leave Me)] came back $1153.95. London Tower, My Bethany and Uchenna were scratched.
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