ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Passion for Action appears to be a 3-year-old with a future. He will get his sternest test to date on Sunday’s Canadian International undercard at Woodbine in the Grade 2, $300,000 Nearctic Stakes. The highlight of Passion for Action’s 2-year-old campaign was a decisive victory in the rich Cup and Saucer Stakes on the grass. He was late getting started this year and was along for second off an eight-month layoff in a second-level optional claimer July 25. “He had a little bone bruising in Florida, which set us back a bit,” trainer Mike De Paulo said. “It was kind of disappointing, but he’s good now.” Passion for Action went on to finish a creditable fourth against older opposition in the Grade 2 Play the King while just missing third to the classy Kaigun. This six-furlong turf sprint is wide open. Carded as the fourth race, it is the first leg of the early pick four, which has a guaranteed pool of $300,000. KEY CONTENDERS Passion for Action (Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-88) ◗ The Benjamin Hutzel homebred by Speightstown came from the trailing fourth position to prevail in his last race in a seven-furlong optional claimer that was taken off the turf. “He’s okay on the Poly, but I think he’s better on turf,” De Paulo said. “We’ll go the grass route and see what happens. He’s a nice little horse, and I’d love to get some graded black type for the mare.” :: Bet the Nearctic with DRF Bets and get FREE access to this article and all of DRF Plus, including Woodbine selections, video, and real-time analysis. Terror (North American debut) ◗ The 3-year-old filly from England encountered some traffic while running second in a stakes at Newmarket on Oct. 10. ◗ Her trainer, David Simcock, captured last year’s Nearctic with the stretch runner Caspar Netscher. The Great War (Last 3 Beyers: 86-43-93) ◗ He bled in a poor showing early in the year and has competed just once since, finishing second at Saratoga in the Quick Call to Ready for Rye, who subsequently won another stakes. ◗ His trainer, Wesley Ward, has struggled here in recent years, except for when he’s shipped in dead-fit sprinters on opening weekend. Sweet Luca (Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-82) ◗ He turned back from a route to 6 1/2 furlongs last time and won the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash over an undulating course. The deep closer needs some speed to chase. Spring to the Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 91-84-91) ◗ After being a minor player in a pair of stakes at Saratoga, he led throughout to win the six-furlong Laurel Dash over yielding ground Sept. 12. Cyclogenisis (Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-83) ◗ He was a troubled fourth behind The Great War in the Quick Call after coming up empty in a Group 1 fixture at Royal Ascot.