Blurricane knocking on the door
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Blurricane will take another crack at the first allowance condition Friday at Woodbine in the featured third race, a seven-furlong sprint worth $58,600.
Blurricane won four of eight starts during her 2015 campaign. She was claimed by trainer Marty Drexler for $25,000 from her season finale, a nose victory going seven-eighths.
Following a six-month layoff, Blurricane rallied from sixth to capture a $25,000 starter allowance at 8-1 on May 13. She lost a subsequent first-level allowance by a neck to the front-running Old Valyria while earning a career-high 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
Blurricane shortened up from 6 1/2 to six furlongs in another first-level allowance June 18. After racing outside in seventh heading into the turn, she mounted a wide bid to finish third behind the good 3-year-old Calling Rhy Rhy.
Six other fillies and mares will take part in the headliner, including the stakes-placed 3-year-old Westlodge Intrigue.
KEY CONTENDERS
Blurricane, by Rebellion
Last 3 Beyers: 70-80-72
◗ The capable David Moran will ride her for the 12th straight time.
◗ She was bred in Ontario by Bernard and Karen McCormack, who bred 2016 Queen’s Plate winner Sir Dudley Digges.
Pipers Journey, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 72-73-79
◗ After graduating first time out in a romp, she cleared two Ontario-sired allowance conditions last year. In her lone race this year, she got away slowly before closing five wide for fourth behind Old Valyria and Blurricane on June 8.
◗ A hot Gary Boulanger retains the mount for trainer Paul Attard.
Westlodge Intrigue, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 70-66-61
◗ She came from fifth to win an Ontario-sired allowance in her second appearance at the meet May 8. In her first grass try July 2 in the restricted Passing Mood Stakes, she saved ground in a stalking position before finishing third behind Generous Touch and her favored stablemate Sugar Jones.
No Soup for You, by Alphabet Soup
Last 3 Beyers: 76-62-62
◗ After running hot and cold, she rallied from off a lively pace to beat $40,000 non-winners-of-three claimers in the race of her life June 26.
◗ Simon Husbands inherits the mount from Boulanger on the 5-year-old, who is named after a famous line from an episode in the popular 1990s television sitcom “Seinfeld.”
Generous Consort, by Philanthropist
Last 3 Beyers: 74-78-70
◗ She finished a lapped-on second in her last two outings, both against $32,000 claimers.