After rebuffing BC Mile berth, Town Cruise turns back in Nearctic

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – In an intriguing experiment, Grade 1 Woodbine Mile winner Town Cruise will shorten up to six furlongs in Sunday’s Grade 2 Nearctic on the main turf at Woodbine.

The speedy Town Cruise has won three of four starts this year, all over middle distances, including an 8-1 upset over good ground in the Woodbine Mile.

“It’s certainly going to be fascinating for me to watch him run the six furlongs on turf that might end up being soft due to the rain,” said owner-trainer Brandon Greer. “This is something new for him. He certainly knows that track very well. He knows where the wire is, regardless, and that gives me confidence going in there. It will be his last race for the season.”

For winning the Woodbine Mile, Town Cruise earned a fees-paid berth for the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar, but Greer opted to run the late-developing 6-year-old in the Nearctic instead.

“We made the decision [Tuesday] night,” Greer said. “We’re a small barn, and it’s a bit too much of an undertaking for us. We’re just not ready for that sort of thing. It has nothing to do with the horse. He’s quite happy these days. He’s been just excellent.”

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Trainer Mark Casse entered Olympic Runner, Lucky Curlin, and Turned Aside in the $250,000 Nearctic.

Olympic Runner ended a five-race skid Aug. 15 when he captured the Grade 2 King Edward. He closed inside from fifth under Rafael Hernandez.

“I thought Raffie rode him really well,” Casse recalled. “There wasn’t a whole lot of pace up front, so he kept him a little closer.”

Olympic Runner was a non-threatening eighth in the Sept. 18 Woodbine Mile, in which he finished fourth last year before ending up fourth in the Nearctic.

Lucky Curlin won a second-level allowance over seven furlongs on the grass when returning from a long layoff Aug. 22. He gave the mighty Pink Lloyd a run for his money most recently, finishing second in the Grade 3 Bold Venture at 6 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta.

“He’s probably a little better on turf,” Casse said. “Cutting back, there should be plenty of speed to run at.”

Trainer Josie Carroll sends out Jolie Olimpica and Avie’s Flatter.

Jolie Olimpica is the lone filly or mare in the 10-horse field. She was relocated to Woodbine from Southern California in the spring because she’s a bleeder who can race effectively here on Lasix. She won her local debut against her own sex in the Grade 2 Nassau in July, before ending up 13 lengths back in sixth in the King Edward.

Avie’s Flatter is shortening up off a ninth-place finish in the Woodbine Mile. He won his first two outings at the meet going seven-eighths, including the Grade 2 Connaught Cup.

Admiralty Pier came from far back to finish second when he turned back to six furlongs in the Grade 1 Highlander Aug. 22.

White Flag won a conditioned allowance Sept. 19 coming off the sidelines in his first try for trainer Roger Attfield.