Appleby fits despite class rise

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - It's not unusual for low-level claimers to be successful in first-level Ontario-sired allowance company, and Appleby will test that theory in Thursday's eighth race at Woodbine, in a 1 1/16-mile route for fillies and mares.

Appleby, a 4-year-old owned by Curraghmore Farm, finished second and third in a pair of Ontario-sired maiden special races last November. She got the winter off, and was never in the hunt in her season opener going short in May.

Appleby made each of her last three starts at 1 1/16 miles. Off a third in an Ontario-sired maiden special June 18, she was bet down to 5-2 in another start at that level July 8, in which she could only manage seventh after making a premature move.

Appleby tried $16,000 maidens Aug. 9, and prevailed after rallying four-wide from off a fast pace. The 68 Beyer Speed Figure that she earned is the highest last-out Beyer in Thursday's field.

Jim McAleney retains the mount on Appleby for trainer Reade Baker, a familiar combination that is 9 for 50 at the meet.

Clear Lake has been freshened since her productive four-race campaign during the spring and early summer.

Clear Lake graduated third time out this year over Jemerra and Appleby, in 1 1/16-mile maiden special, while receiving a 67 Beyer. Her last race resulted in a runner-up finish in an allowance that was won by Lunar Linda, who subsequently ran second in the restricted Eternal Search Stakes.

Robert Landry will ride Clear Lake for trainer Paul Attard, who's trying blinkers on her for the first time.

Spend Now and Save crossed the wire second in each of her four most recent races. She won her maiden by disqualification July 31, and is coming off a fine effort in her first turf attempt going a mile in allowance company.

Jemerra was heavily favored in an identical spot Aug. 13, but the closer was only a nonthreatening fourth behind Spend Now and Save and Lady of Mystery.

The erratic Lady of Mystery is exiting a drab performance, and is taking the blinkers off while changing riders.

Black Bikini established an easy lead and kept on going to earn her diploma over a weak field with a 60 Beyer on Aug. 30.

Go Juice is trying a two-turn distance for the first time off several mediocre efforts, with the pedigree of a sprinter.