Blonde Executive tries turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive will test the turf for the first time Wednesday at Woodbine in the $128,000 Passing Mood Stakes, a seven-furlong dash for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Radlie Loney, Blonde Executive has made a good living as a sprinter, winning five of 10 starts for earnings of $325,951. She defeated older allowance runners in her season debut May 2 before posting a six-length win in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes.

Most recently, Blonde Executive was the 1-2 favorite against older Ontario-sired opponents in the Ballade Stakes, a six-furlong dash. She dueled with Brass in Pocket, a mare seemingly twice her size, before fading in the stretch to finish fourth.

"I would definitely give her a bit of an excuse for her last race," said Loney. "She ran with bandages for the first time to protect her, and she banged her foot a little and blistered it. She still ran pretty good, considering it was against older horses."

Loney said he was pleased with Blonde Executive's work over the turf training course July 18, when she went six furlongs in 1:15 under regular rider Richard Dos Ramos.

"Richard was pleased with how she handled the turf," said Loney. "I don't think it will bother her."

Blonde Executive came back with a quick five-furlong drill in 1:00.40 over the dirt training track last Saturday and, according to Loney, also galloped out well.

Financingavailable has the best grass form in the seven-horse field. She won her debut on the main track May 6 and subsequently ran third in an entry-level allowance on the grass.

Trained by Mark Casse, Financingavailable ran against Ontario-sired males June 16 in the six-furlong Bold Ruckus Stakes and finished fourth over a course labeled good. In her last out, in the 6 1/2-furlong Ontario Damsel Stakes, she made the lead at the eighth pole before giving way late to Velvet Snow. Financingavailable was beaten just a half-length and earned a solid 84 Beyer Figure

La Grande Mamma, trained by Steve Owens, is another contender. She took the Nandi Stakes at 2, in her first attempt off a $25,000 claim. La Grande Mamma has made her last two starts on the grass, finishing fourth in the open Alywow Stakes on June 13 and winning a seven-furlong allowance win over older rivals in her last out.