Woodbine: Claiming race on turf may be good spot for Quit Worrying

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Quit Worrying has been getting closer to notching her second victory. She might be ready to break through in the lone turf race Wednesday night at Woodbine, a six-furlong sprint for $40,000 conditioned claimers.

Quit Worrying showed promise last year at 2. She was nailed on the wire by a stablemate, future stakes winner Rose and Shine, when second in her $40,000 debut. Two weeks later on June 11 she graduated in maiden special company, but then went to the sidelines until a drab allowance outing in November.

Following a winter layoff, Quit Worrying finished up the track in a five-furlong allowance April 6. She failed to flash her customary speed after missing the break in a subsequent $25,000 claimer and closed for second.

Trainer Ralph Biamonte tried Quit Worrying on the grass at this $40,000 nonwinners-of-three class May 26. After leading the way, she got tired in the final sixteenth, but held on for second. Most recently, in a five-furlong allowance on the Polytrack, she was fourth early before mounting a premature four-wide bid en route to running second again.

With Eurico Da Silva aboard Wednesday, Quit Worrying figures to track the early leaders before making her move.

Full Steam Ahead is one of several need-the-lead types in the field, along with Mo Jo Queen, Lady Zsa Zsa, and Maelle.

Full Steam Ahead is unbeaten in two starts, both going 4 1/2 furlongs at Charles Town in the fall. She is by an excellent turf sire, Kitten’s Joy, but a full sibling was unsuccessful on the grass.

Mo Jo Queen earned a big 80 Beyer Speed Figure when she wired $40,000 conditioned opposition last time in her first try off the claim by trainer Scott Fairlie. The runner-up, Bibi’s Doll, subsequently scored at the same level.

Lady Zsa Zsa is coming off back-to-back victories in a pair of $20,000 claimers on the Polytrack. She is jumping up off the claim and doesn’t have much turf breeding.

Maelle is tagged for the first time off two straight lackluster efforts in first-level allowance company.

Closers with a chance include Favorite Melody and Tapia.

Favorite Melody is exiting an extended layoff for leading trainer Mark Casse. She defeated $50,000 claimers going a mile on the grass at Gulfstream in January 2011.

The versatile Tapia was a minor player at this level until her last start, when she wound up second to favored Bibi’s Doll on the Polytrack.