Woodbine: Jenna's Wabbit goes longer on turf in Vice Regent Stakes

Michael Burns

Jenna’s Wabbit has won all three of his starts this season and will test his speed at a mile in the Vice Regent.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ralph Biamonte sends out favored Jenna’s Wabbit and longshot Run in Aruba in Sunday’s $125,000 Vice Regent Stakes at Woodbine, and the personable trainer thinks they both should acquit themselves well in the one-mile turf route for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.

For the most part, Jenna’s Wabbit has used his breakaway speed to win six of nine outings. He is unbeaten in three starts this year, including sprint stakes scores on the Polytrack in the Achievement and Deputy Minister.

Jenna’s Wabbit’s only turf attempt came over yielding ground in his season opener June 9 in the six-furlong Bold Ruckus Stakes. He stalked the leaders along the inside in that Ontario-sired event and then found room outside in the stretch before drawing away.

“He ran that one race on the turf, when it wasn’t firm, and seemed to take a liking to it,” Biamonte recalled. “That was the first time that he changed leads, and he’s been okay doing that since. I think he ran better on the grass than he does on the Poly. I don’t think the mile will hurt him at all. The big thing is to keep him relaxed.”

Biamonte said Jenna’s Wabbit has retained his sharpness heading into the Vice Regent.

“He’s acting good,” Biamonte said. “I couldn’t ask for him to be doing anything better. He seems to get better after each race.”

Run in Aruba hasn’t hit the top five since his come-from-behind victory in the Kingarvie Stakes late in his 2-year-old season. He was beaten a pole most recently in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on the dirt at Fort Erie, which came after a sixth-place finish in the Bold Ruckus.

“I think he might be a little better going a mile on the grass,” Biamonte said. “He just couldn’t compete with those other horses. He seems to be doing much better now.”

Seen It All Before seems capable of raining on Biamonte’s parade. He ran two solid races from as many starts on the grass, including a handy allowance score over Ontario-sired opposition going 1 1/16 miles in his seasonal bow.

Seen It All Before contested the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown on Aug. 5, the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes. With Luis Contreras up, he wound up nine lengths back in fourth, after getting squeezed between rivals while making a bid.

“He ran big,” Contreras said. “In the middle of the stretch, my horse was running, but we got sandwiched. I don’t think I’d have won, but for sure I’d be closer to the winner.”

Ultimate Destiny finished up the track in the Breeders’, in his only turf try. He was previously second in the Prince of Wales and a wide fifth in the Queen’s Plate.