TORONTO, July 31, 2024 – Graded stakes placed Owen’s Tour Guide, a 6-year-old daughter of Tourist, chases her first stakes triumph in the $125,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes, Saturday at Woodbine.

Trained by William Armata for Tequesta Racing Inc., Owen’s Tour Guide arrives at the six-furlong turf feature for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, off a game runner-up result in the Hendrie Stakes (G3) on July 6 at the Toronto oval.

“Even though we didn’t win the race, I was in tears over how well she ran,” said Armata. “The competition was probably the toughest she has faced, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

“When I watch her run, what impresses me the most is that she doesn’t want anyone to go by her. In that last race, once that horse (winner, Gal in a Rush) went by her, she pinned her ears and went on. Her new running style, being aggressive, has helped her so much.”

The dark bay mare launched her career with a pair of wins, the first coming in her only start of 2020 and the second in her 3-year-old debut in June 2021.

Her first stakes test, the Fury, in July 2021, yielded a sixth.

After a tough start to her 2024 campaign – she was ninth and seventh in two starts at Gulfstream – Owen’s Tour Guide rebounded with a trio of strong showings at Woodbine, including a 5 ¾-length score at 6 ½ panels over the main track on May 25.

Bred in Ontario by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, Owen’s Tour Guide is 6-3-6 from 34 starts, accompanied by $334,586 in purse earnings.

“The one thing she gives you is an honest effort,” said Armata. “The first couple years of her life I was trying to rate her. But that isn’t her style. She likes to run on the lead. She likes to be the boss.

“Her best races on the turf have come when there has been some rain, but with her new running style, the hope is she won’t need that type of give to the course.”

The multiple graded stakes winning trainer has no shortage of praise for one of his barn’s top performers.

“I am so grateful to have her in my life,” Armata said of the $3,758 (U.S.) purchase at the 2019 CTHS Canadian-bred Yearling Sale. “She is a gem.”  

Miguel Aguado is the groom.

Saturday’s first post is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com or bet365.com. 

$125,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes (Race 8)

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – I’m Into Mischief – Eswan Flores – Nick Nosowenko

2 – Panama Red (IRE) – Sofia Vives – Michael Stidham

3 – Queen Macha – Jose Campos – Martin Drexler

4 – Blind Spot – Keveh Nicholls – Saffie Joseph, Jr.

5 – Loon Cry – Sahin Civaci – Christophe Clement

6 – Owen’s Tour Guide – Ryan Munger – William Armata

7 – Verdejo – Leo Salles – Abraham Katryan

8 – Queen of the Mud (IRE) – Rafael Hernandez – Graham Motion

9 – Gastown Babe – Pietro Moran – Justin Nixon

10 – Miss Vyvyanne – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Julia Carey

11 – Star Candy – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

Chris Lomon, Woodbine

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