Beyer Figures point to Give Faith

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Late-runner Give Faith will try to mow down the speed in Friday's Woodbine feature, a $62,800 first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up.

Give Faith has a decided edge in the Beyer Figure department in this 6 1/2-furlong sprint. He didn't win until his 10th start here Nov. 14, after which he spent the winter at Aqueduct with trainer Gary Contessa.

Give Faith had a busy winter campaign at the Big A, where he won a $30,000 conditioned claimer in February and then ran second in three consecutive allowances. He returned here in the spring to his former trainer, Malcolm Pierce, and finished third in a $50,000 claimer May 6, for which he received an 89 Beyer.

Last time out, going seven furlongs in a $40,000 contest for nonwinners-of-three, Give Faith rallied strongly from off a lively pace to prevail as the heavy favorite. He was claimed that day by trainer Paul Attard, who worked him three-eighths in a bullet 35.60 seconds over the training track last Saturday. Patrick Husbands picks up the mount on Friday.

Among the other possibilities in Friday's feature are Drivntodistraction, Stormy Lover, and Princely Asset.

Drivntodistraction has won two in a row since he was a narrowly beaten second in his second start in a maiden special May 7. He graduated with authority going six furlongs, earning an 84 Beyer on May 20, and then rode a speed bias to a neck score in an $80,000 claimer for 3-year-olds.

Drivntodistraction's trainer, Bob Tiller, has been clicking at an excellent 31-percent rate with repeaters, and is 7 for 22 at the meeting when using jockey David Clark, who rides Drivntodistraction Friday.

Stormy Lover ran third in several allowances last year for trainer Victor Ramos. After finishing fifth in his season opener, he rallied for second in a $50,000 claimer won by X Box. Most recently, in a six-furlong allowance on Queen's Plate Day, he was stuck in traffic on the turn after breaking from post 1, and wound up fourth.

Apprentice Emma Wilson, the meeting's leading rider, takes over on Stormy Lover, who has drawn the 1-hole again.

Princely Asset ships in from Churchill Downs off a daylight tally in a seven-furlong event for $20,000 maidens. He appears to be outclassed, but his new trainer, Scott Fairlie, has excelled with his American imports this year.

Dino Luciani, who is a solid 4 for 14 aboard Fairlie runners at the meeting, has the mount on Princely Asset.