Sister Otoole 2nd in Gr. III Maple Leaf at Woodbine

After finishing fourth in the Gr. III Waya Stakes at Belmont Park in her last start, Sister Otoole stepped it up two notches yesterday with a flying finish and a sharp second-place effort in the $150,000, Gr. III Maple Leaf Stakes at Woodbine. Amira’s Prince’s leading money-winner collected a check for $23,903 ($30,000 in Canada), raising her lifetime total to $172,059.

The 4-year-old filly bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon was off last in the mile and a quarter race on the all-weather track, and Kazushi Kimura was content to let her relax there for three-quarters of a mile, about seven lengths off the leaders. When he sent her through on the rail on the final turn, Sister Otoole put it another gear, split horses at the top of the stretch, and blew by all but the winner in the run to the wire.

Sister Otoole, who was sent off at 8-1 on the tote board, is 1-3-0 in six starts this year and has collected $127,934. She has proven to be at home at all tracks and on all surfaces, Woodbine making the ninth venue at which she has competed while posting a career record of 2-4-3 in 11 races.