Woodbine: All Star Heart drops from graded stakes for River Memories

Shigeki Kikkawa

All Star Heart will try to bounce back in Saturday's $100,000 River Memories Stakes at Woodbine.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Horses dropping out of graded stakes company could make some noise in Saturday’s $100,000 River Memories Stakes, including All Star Heart, who makes her third local start in the one-mile turf route.

Post time for the first of nine events Saturday will be earlier than usual at 12:30 p.m., because the Breeders Crown races will be run Saturday night at Woodbine.

All Star Heart had a productive career in Southern California, where she landed the Grade 2 Las Palmas at Santa Anita in 2011. She shipped here in September to contest the Grade 2 Canadian, in which she wound up second to the English raider Barefoot Lady.

Most recently, All Star Heart was a non-threatening eighth in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, although she was beaten just 3 3/4 lengths by the victorious European Siyouma.

Luis Contreras picks up the mount on All Star Heart, who is trained by Ron McAnally.

Trainer Mark Casse entered Indian Pond and Silent Moon in the River Memories, which will be run over a mile and 70 yards if it’s moved to the Polytrack.

Indian Pond has been campaigned sporadically this year, starting just three times. She was third in the Grade 2 Nassau, fourth in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly, and fifth in the Canadian.

“I’ve had a tough time finding races for her,” Casse said. “She just hasn’t had chances to run. She’s been training really well. She’s doing good. If she brings her ‘A’ game, I think she’s going to be tough.”

Casse said Silent Moon probably would be scratched if the race comes off the turf. Silent Moon was a close second two races ago in the 1 1/16-mile Belle Mahone Stakes on the Polytrack.

“If it comes off the grass, I would think she would have a good shot,” Casse predicted.

Trainer Malcolm Pierce entered Forest Uproar and Magic Broomstick, who will be withdrawn if the proceedings are moved to the Polytrack.

Magic Broomstick could be favored off her authoritative score following an 11-month layoff in the Sept. 30 Avowal, which was her first stakes triumph.

“We knew she was a good filly,” Pierce said after the Avowal. “We just had to wait for a race. Nothing would go. We were trying to get an allowance race into her. We didn’t think she was ready for the Canadian Stakes. This spot worked out perfectly. I wish it was a month ago.”

Tee Game figures to lead the way, if the River Memories comes off the turf. She led throughout the restricted Algoma Stakes on the main track in early September, but she usually employs a stalking style on the grass.

The Irish-bred Chokurei rallied for second in the seven-furlong Avowal, in her second appearance since leaving England. She was previously sixth after a long break in the Belle Mahone.