Another turf runner gives Polytrack a try

Many grass runners have taken an immediate liking to Woodbine's Polytrack. On Wednesday, turf expert Archer's Dreamer will make her first start on it in the day's headliner, a $66,800 second-level allowance that will be run at six furlongs. The race has a seven-horse field and an optional claiming price of $62,500.

Archer's Dreamer, trained by Roger Attfield for Harlequin Ranches, finished third, beaten 8 1/2 lengths, in last year's restricted Passing Mood Stakes. She capped her 2005 campaign with a victory over Ontario-sired opponents in a seven-furlong allowance Oct. 14.

Archer's Dreamer was third in each of her first two starts this year, including the allowance prep for the Royal North Stakes. She was fourth as the favorite in a first-level allowance Aug. 16 and then ran third in another first-level allowance two weeks later.

Most recently, Archer's Dreamer scored easily at the first-allowance condition Oct. 7, earning a career-high 88 Beyer Speed Figure. She worked several times on the Polytrack before that race. Richard Dos Ramos retains the mount.

Also entered in Wednesday's feature are Susur, Stonington, Celtic Way, Extra Bases, La Salle Glory, and Buenisima.

Susur has seemingly developed hanging tendencies, having finished second in each of her last four outings, all at this optional-claiming level. Her two most recent efforts came on the Polytrack, over which she breezed five furlongs in 1:01 last Saturday.

Jim McAleney will ride Susur for trainer Reade Baker, a combination that has a 25-percent win rate at the meeting.

Stonington has burned a lot of money since she won her season opener in April with a 90 Beyer. She was a beaten favorite in each of her next four starts, including a $50,000 claimer on the grass in September, when she finished a neck back of a sharp Hassayampa. Most recently, Stonington made her first start over the Polytrack and came four wide from a stalking position to finish second behind the stakes winner Seductively in a seven-furlong allowance Oct. 8. Shortening up in distance here might benefit her.

Celtic Way got away slowly before finishing third behind Stonington on Oct. 8, which was her first appearance since she won a $10,000 starter allowance at Fort Erie in July.

Extra Bases has a second-place finish from four outings this year, all on the grass.