Born to Boogie finds her purpose in turf sprints
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Born to Boogie found her niche this year as a sprinter on the main turf, and she will get to ply her trade in Saturday’s Woodbine headliner, a first-level allowance with a $32,000 claiming option.
Born to Boogie’s lone 2-year-old start on the Tapeta in December was forgettable, but she won her maiden in a six-furlong main turf event off an extended layoff on June 25, while beating the likes of Zana and The Niigon Factor.
Stretching out to a mile a month later, Born to Boogie was dismissed at 68-1 in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen. She raced wide from midway on the turn to the wire while fading to finish 10 lengths back in ninth over a course labeled good.
Born to Boogie rebounded on the turnback to six furlongs in an Aug. 5 allowance, in which she rallied inside from five lengths back to lose by a head to Curlin Candy.
Rafael Hernandez picks up the mount on Born to Boogie. The journeyman has solid numbers for her trainer, Sylvain Pion. Douglas Reddington owns the daughter of Funtastic, who was a $20,000 short yearling purchase in 2021 at Keeneland.
Among the others in the 6 1/2-furlong event are Mosler’s Image, English Shirl, Jab, and Souper Flashy.
Mosler’s Image is shortening up off a fading fourth traveling 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf for capable cutback trainer Marty Drexler, who claimed her for $25,000 at Gulfstream in late January. She wasn’t beaten far when fifth going seven furlongs on the main turf following a layoff in her penultimate outing.
Jose Campos inherits the mount on Mosler’s Image from Sahin Civaci, who’s sticking with English Shirl.
Trained by Shelley Fitzgerald, English Shirl won her June 11 season opener against $25,000 maidens before doubling up in another seven-furlong main turf race on July 8 against nonwinners-of-two opposition. The move up in class on Saturday is steep, but her tactical speed could be an asset in a field without much other speed.
Jab has won two in a row going 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf under Skye Chernetz. The closer defeated $25,000 nonwinners-of-two types July 20 and beat nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired and $40,000 claimers on Aug. 18. Dave Cotey trains the late bloomer.
Souper Flashy finished second in her only turf start last fall in the seven-furlong Thunder Bay Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies. After winning her season debut, she wound up fifth in the Ballade Stakes before a troubled second and a non-threatening sixth in allowance company.
Rounding out the eighth-race lineup are Googly Eyes, Hai Bobbi, Frankie’s Girl, and Gabby Squared.
Post time for the nine-race card, which doesn’t have a stakes, is 1:05 p.m.
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