Aheadbyacentury sharp for Marine Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Aheadbyacentury will continue his Queen’s Plate preparations by stretching out around two turns for Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16-miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Earlier on the card, Canada’s reigning Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd will attempt to win his 10th consecutive stakes race in the New Providence.

Aheadbyacentury finished fifth after a wide trip in his seasonal debut in the Queenston Stakes over seven furlongs here on April 22. Trainer John Ross said he always believed Aheadbyacentury would be at his best with more distance.

“He kind of needed that race,” he said. “Seven furlongs isn’t his total forte, so to speak. He’s come out of it real good. I think this is the next best thing for him, to go a mile and a sixteenth.”

Ross said he had initially thought he would wait to run Aheadbyacentury in the $125,000 Plate Trial Stakes on June 9, but felt he was ready to run back in the Marine.

“With these horses, you pay attention to them and they’ll tell you,” he said. “I don’t hesitate to run him in this race because he’s been working fantastic. He’s been eating like a bear and just bouncing around this barn. He’s really feeling good.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Aheadbyacentury, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 66-69-72

◗ Ross said it was still possible that Aheadbyacentury would also run in the Plate Trial following a start in the Marine. “I’m going to let him tell me and make a decision as we go along,” he said.

Machtree, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 72-70-79

◗ He rallied well to cross the line first in the Wando Stakes here on April 21, but was disqualified for interference in the stretch after lugging in on Tale of Vienna.

Rose’s Vision, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-59

◗ He’s emerged as a top Queen’s Plate prospect for owner-breeder Chiefswood Stable following back-to-back victories on turf from wide posts at Gulfstream Park and Keeneland.

O’Kratos, by Victor’s Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 85-69-64

◗ He owns the top Beyer Speed Figure in the field following his April 29 allowance win over seven furlongs on Tapeta, overcoming a slow start to run down a pair of rivals in the final sixteenth.

Pink Lloyd goes for No. 10

Just three other horses will line up to face Pink Lloyd in the $100,000 New Providence Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and upward over six furlongs on Tapeta.

Pink Lloyd comes into the New Providence after breaking the six-furlong track record in his seasonal debut in the Jacques Cartier Stakes on April 21, earning a career-best 106 Beyer.

Rounding out the field are Goodoldhockeygame, Pink Lloyd’s stablemate who was supplemented to the race by trainer Robert Tiller and owner Frank Di Giulio, Jr.; Marten River, a three-time winner in 2017; and Lokinforpursemonee, last season’s Woodstock Stakes winner who will be making his first start since July.