Can bettors put trust in Be Envied?

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Some win bettors will be in a quandary when they size up the chances of Be Envied in Wednesday's featured second race at Woodbine, which is scheduled for seven furlongs on the grass.

On recent form, Be Envied looks imposing in the third-level allowance and optional claimer. However, she hasn't found the winner's circle in her last eight starts, and her most recent victory came in a second-level allowance on the Polytrack in October 2006.

Be Envied hit the board in each of her three outings at the meeting, all at middle distances on the lawn. She was a closing third in a slow-paced race June 6, and was second in another $80,000 optional claimer three weeks later.

Last time out in the allowance prep for the Victoriana Stakes, Be Envied ran evenly in a stalking position before ending up second behind her stablemate, reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill.

Be Envied won her only seven-furlong try on the grass at 3. She finished third and fifth in her last two Polytrack starts, both in stakes last summer, so a surface change probably won't hinder her chances.

Patrick Husbands will get a leg up from trainer Mark Casse on Be Envied, who is owned by Bill Farish Jr.

The second race is the first leg of the pick seven, which has a healthy carryover of $41,273. Those without the confidence to single Be Envied should consider going two deep in the race, also using Rushen Heat, who is a full sister to graded stakes winners Golden Doc A and Unusual Suspect.

Rushen Heat, a Southern California expatriate trained by Barry Abrams, won a second-level allowance after a six-month layoff at Hollywood in June. Her best result in three starts here was a runner-up finish behind One Quiet Cat in a July 11 optional claimer on the Polytrack.

In a field lacking speed, Rushen Heat should be prominent from the outset under Emile Ramsammy.

Sudsy Baby is in with a shot. She ended a long drought by winning her third-to-last start in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer.

Second Offense closed for third in the July 9 Repercussion Stakes. Her new rider, Chantal Sutherland, won six races last weekend.

Humble Janet was entered for the main track only, and rain is in the forecast.