NEW KENT, Va.--Camanoe, trained  by Jack Fisher, won the G2, 2 1/4 mile, $100,000 Life's Illusion Stakes for fillies and mares at Colonial Downs on Thursday, July 30.

Camanoe winning the Life's Illusion (Photo by Photos Coady Media)Owned by Sheila Fisher and Northwoods Stable and ridden by Freddie Procter, Camanoe won by 1/14 lengths over Timetoshare (Fr), trained by Mark Beecher, and Red Tone, trained by F. Hill Parker.

Camanoe, bred by George Strawbridge, Jr., raced six times for him as a 3- and 4-year-old with her best finish being a win in a maiden claiming race at Delaware Park.

Despite her less than stellar performance as a flat horse, Fisher bought her privately last fall.

Fisher said that her trainer, Jonathan Thomas had recommended her.

Camanoe ran third in a maiden special weight at Fair Hill in May and then won a maiden race at Colonial Downs in June prior to winning the Life's Illusion.

"I thought she'd win last time out, but this race was more of a challenge," said Fisher. "I think the weight helped her here. I'm not sure where she'll go next."

Camanoe , carrying 143 pounds, was getting 10 pounds from second placed Timetoshine and 18 pounds from the favorite, Gold Charm (Ire), who finished fourth.

 

"THERE WASN'T a lot of speed on paper in the race," said Procter. "Jack said just to try to get her  into a nice rhythm."

Camanoe (Photo by Photos Coady Medi)Love Foreverafter, trained by Neil Morris, went out to a huge lead, sometimes by as much as 20 lengths while Procter kept Caminoe third for most of the race, just behind Red Tone, who also carried 143 pounds and was ridden by Conor Tierney.

Procter began to make a move halfway down the back stretch the last time.

"Conor and I, knowing the horses we sat on had light weights, stated to move at the same time," said Procter.

Camanoe caught Love Foreverafter on the turn and forged into the lead on the turn into the stretch.

Procter said he wasn't sure he had won until after he crossed the finish line.

"I fully expected the two behind me to overtake me any time," said Procter. "But she just put her head down and kept going. She was very game. That final furlong felt lie it would go on forever."

Tom Garner saddled Ballybristol Farm's Flash Frozen, ridden by Even Dwan, to win the first division of the $60,000 Maiden race by 1/2 length over Steadfast Resolve, trained by Morris, and Onrush, trained by Fisher.

Leslie Young saddled Sharon Sheppard's Investment Mandate, ridden by Graham Watters, to win the second division of the Maiden Hurdle by 1 length over McLovin, trained by Kate Dalton,, and Cameo Performance, trained by Keri Brion.