June 15, 2021 – The 124-year-old border oval kicked off the

racing season on Tuesday with a tremendous card featuring two Cup races,

the Sprint into Summer and the Summer Solstice Cup. The opening day card

saw $1.2 million in wagering.

The first race on opening day went to Souper Deputy for trainer Julie

Mathes and jockey Chris Husbands. He returned $3.20 to his backers. The

leading trainer at last year’s meet, Mathes was happy to be back in the

winner’s circle on opening day.

“My husband, myself and our team at the barn are very elated. We’ve put

a very long hard winter into the horses, and we are very happy to see it

paying off. It was a great way to start the season,” said Mathes.

Jockey Chris Husbands rode two winners on opening day, while jockey

Pierre Mailhot rode three winners on the card. Mailhot captured the

Sprint into Summer Cup aboard Gunzig Stinger. Trained and owned by

Claudia Rabstein, the four-year-old son of Signature Red battled back

from a stretch duel with Red Mercury to win the $30,000 Cup race. The

other feature race on the card, the Summer Solstice Cup was clinched by

Lost Corsage. Owned by Jeanne Ryan, the four-year-old filly romped home

victorious under the setting sun with veteran rider Kirk Johnson aboard.

For trainer Daniel Wills, Lost Corsage exceeded his expectations in the

race.

“It wasn’t the original expectation. We bought her from John

Charalambous at the end of the year and he said that she would do really

good at Fort Erie and she was blossoming. Kirk worked her from the gate

and said if you run her in the Cup she’ll win. It wasn’t the plan

originally, but I just went along with what he’s got to say, and we took

a shot and got lucky.”

Breezing the filly in the morning, Kirk Johnson felt very confident

about his ride going into the race. “The way she breezed and how much

horse I had – it just gave me chills. You know you just get that feeling

as a rider.”

Fort Erie’s racing season includes 39 days, running Mondays at 1 p.m.

and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. until Labour Day. From September 6 onwards, post

time will be at 1 p.m. for both days.

Racing will continue without spectators, however fans can watch a live

HD stream online at https://www.forterieracing.com/streaming-and-replays

Fans can also watch the replay show on YourTV channel 700, Friday nights

at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m.

Photo: Lost Corsage crossing the finish line in the Summer Solstice Cup. Michael Burns Photography