In a compelling display of equestrian prowess, Reagan's Flame emerged victorious in the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine, demonstrating superior form in a contest that saw its initial field significantly diminished. The mare's dominant performance under jockey Edgard Zayas solidified her position as a formidable competitor, particularly on synthetic tracks.
The race, which took place on a recent Saturday, began with an unexpected turn as the original lineup of eight contenders for the seven-furlong sprint was halved. Several horses, including prominent names like Austere and the reigning Seaway champion Elysian Field, were withdrawn due to veterinary concerns. Additionally, Bessie Abott and Creed's Gold, a two-time Hendrie Stakes winner, were scratched by stewards, leaving only four horses to compete.
Despite a slight outward drift at the start, Reagan's Flame quickly recovered and briefly took the lead. Uphill Dance, guided by Jose Campos, soon established itself at the front, setting a brisk pace through the initial quarter-mile. Reagan's Flame maintained a close second, with Quadruple in third and the outsider Scat Girl trailing. The leading positions remained consistent through the halfway point, but as they approached the five-sixteenths pole, Zayas urged Reagan's Flame forward. The mare responded with an explosive burst of speed, surging past Uphill Dance to claim the lead inside the eighth pole and ultimately finishing with a comfortable 3 1/4-length advantage, appearing to ease up as she crossed the finish line. The final time for the race was 1:22.64.
This victory adds to Reagan's Flame's impressive record since joining trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.'s stable. She made a significant impact at Woodbine earlier in the season, winning the Whimsical Stakes (G3) in May and achieving a career-best Beyer Speed Figure. Although her subsequent performance in the Royal North Stakes (G3) on the inner turf was less stellar, she rebounded with a strong third-place finish in the Hendrie Stakes (G3) upon returning to the Tapeta surface. Joseph expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting her adaptability and improved form on synthetic tracks, and indicated that the 6 1/2-furlong Presque Isle Masters (G2) in mid-September is a strong possibility for her next outing.
Owned by St. Elias Stable, BAG Racing Stables, Turf Express, and Watkins Diamond Stables, the bay mare now boasts eight wins from 23 career starts, with three of those victories coming on synthetic surfaces. Her wins include two graded stakes at Woodbine and a route race at Gulfstream Park earlier in the year. Bred in Kentucky by Jason Hall, Herschel Martindale, and Stephen Mott, Reagan's Flame was the heavy 2-5 favorite due to the reduced field, returning $2.80 to win, with Uphill Dance, Quadruple, and Scat Girl completing the order of finish.
The triumph of Reagan's Flame in the Seaway Stakes underscores her growing reputation and solidifies her status as a formidable contender in the graded stakes circuit. Her ability to adapt to different track conditions, particularly her consistent success on synthetic surfaces, positions her well for future challenges.