Bossy Candy, another flag flying high for Candy Ride at Woodbine

On synthetic surface, the filly broke her maiden by landing the Shady Well Stakes (L)

Bossy Candy and a strong late kick, suggesting her best is yet to come / WOODBINE

TORONTO, Canada (Special for Turf Diario) – Years go by, generations change, new stallions emerge… but the influence of Candy Ride remains firm and unmistakable, a trademark that knows no borders. This Saturday at Woodbine, his daughter Bossy Candy added another notable victory to the global record of the Argentine champion, capturing the Shady Well Stakes (L), a US$150,000 race that confirmed her promise within Canada’s juvenile program.

Trained by Mark Casse and guided with complete composure by Rafael Hernández, the filly performed like a seasoned professional. Breaking from post 1, she was sharp away and settled third along the rail behind Souper Diva(Souper Speedy), the front-running favorite and already a two-time stakes winner. Always saving ground, she never wasted a step as the clock showed :22.72 for the opening quarter and :46.00 for the half-mile, while Bossy Candy was already beginning to show she meant business.

Turning for home, Souper Diva tried to fend off the challenge with her customary bravery. But when Hernández angled Bossy Candy out to the three-path and let her roll, she began to close with efficiency — not flashy, but authoritative. Around the final 125 meters, she went past and drew off to score by two lengths, stopping the clock in 1:11.48 for 1200 meters over the synthetic surface. A further 3 1/4 lengths back in third was Mathematical (Connect).

It was only her second career start. In her debut on November 1, she had finished close up after a tricky trip and a slow break.“I knew she was going to run big today,” said Hernández, who is enjoying a brilliant campaign at Woodbine and recorded his 22nd stakes win of the season.

This time, the improvement was evident. Bossy Candy showed professionalism, speed, mental toughness and an ability to learn that often separates the good ones from the rest. And it’s no surprise when you look at her pedigree.

She is a daughter of the sensational Candy Ride, one of the most influential exports in Argentine breeding history, sire and broodmare sire of champions across the world’s major racing stages. On the dam side, she carries the imprint of Unbridled’s Song (Unbridled), another stamp of quality, through her dam Casey’s Dreamin’, creating a cross of proven effectiveness.

Bred by A & A Farms and W. S. Farish, first purchased for US$100,000 as a weanling at the Keeneland November Sale and later acquired for US$75,000 at the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale, and racing in the colors of Gregory Tramontin and Michael Stevens, Bossy Candy has already taken a significant step forward.

Above all, she once again underlines something that has become almost a given in international racing:wherever the signature of Candy Ride appears, it is always worth paying attention.

Because years may pass, but the legend — the unbeaten champion born on Argentine soil — keeps writing his story, now also through a Canadian filly whose best still lies ahead.

Much more.