ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Strike Smartly nailed entrymate Quiet Resolve on the wire to capture his first stakes on Sunday at Woodbine in the $336,300 Chinese Cultural Center, formerly the Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy Stakes.
Strike Smartly raced about five lengths off the lead on the backstretch, as the more accomplished Quiet Resolve dueled with New York invader Speed of Light through moderate fractions. Quiet Resolve assumed command in the stretch, and seemed headed for a comfortable victory, but Strike Smartly rallied in the final furlong to prevail by a head.