Bigstormbrewin’ primed for return in Friday turf sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The powerful Bigstormbrewin’ has been working up a storm for his return from a summer break. He should prove tough to catch in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a second-level optional claimer scheduled for seven furlongs on the grass.

Bigstormbrewin’ was claimed from a winning performance for $25,000 in November by the partnership of Winston Penny and trainer Don MacRae. He was a tired fourth in his first start this year May 30 in a five-furlong Polytrack dash for $50,000 claimers.

In his only other outing at the meet July 19, Bigstormbrewin’ led all the way in an optional-claiming sprint on the grass. The runner-up that day, Calgary Cat, subsequently won two in a row, most notably the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes.

Chris Griffith retains the mount on Bigstormbrewin’, who competes with a $60,000 tag in the eighth race on a decent nine-race program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bigstormbrewin’ (Last 3 Beyers: 89-67-87)

The two breezes he posted during his time off were both bullets, including five furlongs in 59.60 seconds Sept. 10, which was very fast for a gate work.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Going back five years, MacRae has scored at a 22 percent clip with horses returning from a layoff of 45 days or more who won their last start, with a return on investment of $2.19.

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Golden Sabre (Last 3 Beyers: 73-90-80)

The talented Sam-Son Farm homebred is getting the opportunity to string two races together off a nonthreatening seventh in a shorter turf sprint, which was won by eventual stakes winner Calgary Cat.

Jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva and trainer Malcolm Pierce are 15 for 45 together at the meet.

He prefers a mile to 1 1/8 miles, which makes him a vulnerable favorite.

Star Contender (Last 3 Beyers: 84-85-79)

The 2012 Cup and Saucer Stakes winner had been idle for about a year heading into his fade job June 7 but then hit the board in two other turf routes in the summer. Shortening up to a long sprint may be to his benefit.

Courtville (Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-71)

He snapped out of a slump while airing in a $50,000 starter allowance two starts back and then ran another strong race traveling a mile on the grass when third in the restricted Halton Stakes.

Th Original Scotty (Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-82)

The versatile 6-year-old won his lone try over seven furlongs on the lawn, an off-the-pace victory in a fast-paced, first-level allowance in July.