Awesome Five prepped up and ready to fire

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Awesome Five ran his usual good race off a layoff on opening weekend of the Woodbine meet. It should set him up nicely for Friday’s six-furlong feature, a nonwinners-of-two hybrid race for Ontario-sired allowance stock and $40,000 claimers.

Awesome Five began to blossom last September, when the 4-year-old toppled $32,000 maidens before ending up second in a $40,000 conditioned claimer won by Something Awesome, who came right back to score.

Awesome Five capped his 2016 campaign with a neck loss in another $40,000 sprint for nonwinners of two Nov. 4, when he earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. Following a winter vacation, he raced wide throughout over an inside-favoring track en route to finishing second in a 5 1/2-furlong dash at this level April 16.

Ten others were entered in the ninth race, which has a Jackpot Hi 5 carryover of $3,126.

KEY CONTENDERS

Awesome Five, by Awesome of Course

Last 3 Beyers: 73-84-70

◗ Eurico Da Silva retains the mount for trainer by Kathy Patton, a combination that’s 0 for 3 with a second at the meet. He competes with a $40,000 claiming tag.

Neil’s Diamond, by Where’s the Ring

Last 3 Beyers: 54-67-54

◗ He hasn’t started since Sept. 3, but his prowess when fresh is well documented. He rallied for third in his debut at 2 in the restricted Clarendon Stakes and was a handy maiden winner following a 7 1/2-month absence last spring.

Ratface Macdougall, by Rebellion

Last 3 Beyers: 69-32-71

◗ The oddly named gelding benefited from an inside bias when a fading fourth behind Awesome Five in his season opener. He has since breezed a half-mile in a bullet 46.20 seconds, and another speed try seems inevitable.

Mike, by Philanthropist

Last 3 Beyers: 45-59-70

◗ The full brother to champion Pender Harbour was in decent Ontario-sired allowance form prior to finishing up the track in last year’s Queen’s Plate. His work tab includes a spirited five-furlong team drill with Rocket Plan last Saturday, when they zipped the first three-eighths in 34.80, en route a final time of 1:00.60.

Budding, by Spring At Last

Last 3 Beyers: 62-34-63

◗ He was competitive in a series of turf sprints at Gulfstream over the winter, culminating with a victory over $20,000 maidens March 26. He is winless on the Tapeta, on which he’s been second twice.

Front Nine, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 65-67-71

◗ He wound up fifth behind Awesome Five and Ratface Macdougall after a stalking trip on the outside in his first appearance of the year.