Attard has contender in both divisions of turf sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Kevin Attard is represented in both splits of Friday’s feature at Woodbine, a nonwinners-of-two turf sprint that combines Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers. Run as race 4 and race 8, they are for fillies and mares going seven furlongs.

In the first division, Attard will saddle Hailey’s Prize, who had a troubled trip and dropped a nose decision to Niigon’s Bay in May the first time she tried turf, which came against maidens going the seven-furlong distance of Friday’s engagement. She finally graduated on Tapeta next time out in her ninth start.

Hailey’s Prize finished on the edges in each of her last two outings, both going long against Ontario-sired stakes opposition. She ran fourth in the Eternal Search on Tapeta and fifth in the La Prevoyante on turf. Shortening in distance should be to her benefit Friday, when Jesse Campbell will ride her again.

Red Cabernet could be the main threat. She came from fifth to finish a distant second behind the favored Silent Sonet in the one-mile La Prevoyante, leaving Hailey’s Prize 1 1/2 lengths back.

The slumping Lady Marchfield is making her first grass start. She’s strongly bred for the surface on her dam’s side, so a turnaround isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Royal Katy has been idle since ending up third after a ground-saving journey against the boys Aug. 6.

In the second division, Attard sends out Most Inspiring, who finished a close fourth after leading the way in a 1 1/16-mile route at this level two weeks ago. She was previously a minor player in a pair of allowance sprints in July.

The lightly raced 4-year-old Whatta Girl should be among the favorites in the second split, her first start since she captured a maiden special on the turf Aug. 26. Luis Contreras retains the mount for his main client, Josie Carroll, who has been on a roll of late.

Victorian Lass is drawn just inside Whatta Girl in post 2. Her speed could be effective with the portable rail in the outermost lane 5, and she could hit the ticket at a price under Steve Bahen.

Princess Bullet had struggled at this level before closing from well back and nearly beating $20,000 conditioned claimers Sept. 2. She’s since worked an impressive five-eighths in 59.60 seconds on the main track.

Sky Vision rode an inside bias to victory last time in an Ontario-sired maiden special/$40,000 claimer. Her previous turf form wasn’t bad, and she should be in the hunt.