Ami's Flatter tries turf in Play the King Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Saturday’s prep for the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, the $200,000 Play the King, lured one of the strongest fields in the history of the Grade 2 stakes. Ami’s Flatter makes his first turf start in the seven-furlong sprint, and it’s just a guess as to how he’ll fare against the likes of graded stakes winners Dimension and Passion for Action.

Ami’s Flatter earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in each of his two victories this year, winning a Gulfstream allowance and the Grade 3 Commonwealth at Keeneland. He showed little behind the unstoppable Frosted most recently in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Belmont.

Trainer Josie Carroll said she was content with Ami’s Flatter’s five-furlong breeze in 1:00.60 on the turf training course Aug. 7.

“He seemed to be really comfortable out there,” Carroll said. “He’s worked on [turf] a couple of times now and seems really happy.”

The Play the King is race 8 on a solid 10-race program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ami’s Flatter, by Flatter

Last 3 Beyers: 94-105-86

◗ Flatter’s progeny have won at just a 5 percent clip when trying grass for the first time and at a 7 percent rate overall on turf. None of the dam’s three grass starters won.

Dimension, by Medicean

Last 3 Beyers: 100-98-90

◗ After going winless in 2015, the 2013 Play the King victor has been rejuvenated this year at age 8, winning the Grade 2 Connaught Cup and the Grade 2 King Edward here July 2. He has worked twice this month at the Skylight Training Center in Kentucky for trainer Conor Murphy.

Passion for Action, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 101-97-103

◗ The versatile 4-year-old has been the most successful sprinter on the grounds. He’s captured three stakes and finished second in the Connaught Cup in four appearances at the meet.

Conquest Enforcer, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 88-101-87

◗ The 3-year-old is meeting older rivals off a front-running score in the Charlie Barley Stakes, which contained four next-out winners. Trainer Mark Casse said he wasn’t blown away by the talented colt’s last effort.

“I thought it was good, not great,” Casse said. “If he’s going to be what we hope he can be, he’ll have to come with a better performance on Saturday. We’ve given him every opportunity to grow up, and it’s time to figure out where he stands.”

Tower of Texas, by Street Sense

Last 3 Beyers: 94-97-95

◗ The stretch runner just missed in the allowance prep for this event. He seems ready to run a corker in his third race after an extended layoff.