Attfield starts meet strong, has Elizabeth Way for Nassau

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Roger Attfield has been heating up at the meet with his turf runners, most recently with Art of Almost, who won a second-level optional claimer with determination last Sunday.

“She came out of it well,” Attfield said. “We’re in good shape.”

Art of Almost won’t run back in Saturday’s Grade 2 Nassau, a one-mile event in which Attfield sends out Elizabeth Way. A 4-year-old daughter of Frankel, Elizabeth Way took the Grade 3 The Very One in late February at Gulfstream, after which she finished third there in the Grade 3 Orchid. She is coming off an uncharacteristically poor showing in the Grade 3 Mint Julep at Churchill.

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“The Nassau is a bit short for her,” said Attfield, who decided not to ship Elizabeth Way out of town because of the difficulty of scheduling travel arrangements due to the pandemic.

Art of Almost is pointing to the Grade 2 Dance Smartly here Aug. 15, a 1 1/4-mile test in which the daughter of Dansili finished a surprising third last year as a 3-year-old. Attfield said Elizabeth Way also is a candidate for the Dance Smartly.

After coming into his own at Gulfstream, Gray’s Fable flirted with the 6 1/2-furlong course record on the main turf in a powerful gate-to-wire score in a first-level allowance June 14. He’s eligible for a second-level allowance, but Attfield said the 5-year-old gray gelding could run back in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup going seven furlongs July 11.

“I really like him,” Attfield said. “He’s a bundle of energy. I think he could be quite a nice horse.”

Attfield’s own Gun Society has been working up a storm and is aiming for the Aug. 15 Woodbine Oaks. She has been sidelined since upsetting Owlette in the South Ocean Stakes for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies Nov. 16, after which she wintered at Payson Park in Florida.

“She’s been training really well,” Attfield said. “I’ve wanted to have started her before now, but there’s always been some reason why we couldn’t. She acts like a really nice filly.”

Hoyte wins first Canadian race as jockey

Veteran exercise rider Jason Hoyte won his first race in Canada as a jockey on his 13th mount at the meet on favored French Charm in last Sunday’s opener.

“It means so much to me,” Hoyte said. “It’s just a blessing come true. Hard work does pay off.”

Hoyte began his race-riding career in Barbados in 2000, winning his first race with Tikashar at the Garrison Savannah racetrack. He arrived in Canada in 2004 and started galloping horses for trainer Steve Owens before becoming the go-to morning rider for trainer Mark Casse for 16 years. Among the champions he worked for Casse were Tepin and Sealy Hill.