Bosskiri tough despite long layoff

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Bosskiri has the potential to be the new boss among the older female sprinters at Woodbine, and she will get the chance to show what she's got in Sunday's allowance headliner.

Other major contenders in five-furlong dash, a $79,900 prep for the April 16 Whimsical Stakes, are Abounding Truth and Top Ten List.

Bosskiri, 4, trained by Reade Baker, won both of her 2-year-old starts with authority, including the restricted Nandi Stakes. She launched her 2005 campaign following a nine-month layoff last May by winning a six-furlong allowance with a Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

Bosskiri got another front-running score on May 28 in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes by nearly four lengths with an 89 Beyer. She went around two turns in the June 13 Woodbine Oaks, fading badly after setting sizzling fractions.

Baker said running Bosskiri in the 1 1/8-mile Oaks really took a toll on her, and led to her missing the second half of 2005.

"It was just too much for her to do," he said. "I guess some day we were going to try her long and see what happened, so we tried her long and unfortunately lost the rest of the year with her."

Bosskiri spent the winter at part-owner Harlequin Ranches' Florida farm before shipping here to Baker, who said he isn't concerned with the length of time that she has been laid up.

"She's only running five-eighths," Baker pointed out. "She worked five-eighths in a minute two weeks ago. She went a slow five-eighths last weekend. She got ready to go three-quarters last year off only three easy works. She just smoked."

Jim McAleney, who was aboard for each of Bosskiri's victories, will break her from post 1 in the six-horse field.

Southern California import Abounding Truth has been sidelined since a subpar showing in a Nov. 5 turf allowance at Santa Anita. She won the Prairie Rose Stakes with a 103 Beyer off a one-year layoff at Prairie Meadows in April 2005, and runs Beyers in the 90's over both surfaces with regularity.

Abounding Truth is making her first start for trainer Josie Carroll; Patrick Husbands will ride.

Top Ten List, a 4-year-old turf specialist, won back-to-back dirt sprints last spring, including an Ontario sire allowance.

Top Ten List blossomed after trainer Bob Tiller moved her to turf last July, winning the Ontario Damsel and Passing Mood stakes in front-running style. After running third against older rivals in the Victoriana Stakes, she defeated Ontario-sired 3-year-olds in the La Prevoyante Stakes.