Cartier not ideal spot for Field Commission

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Field Commission is ready for his first action of the season in Sunday's six-furlong Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine.

Canada's champion sprinter in 2009, Field Commission spent the winter on majority owner Ed Seltzer's farm near Ocala, Fla., and checked back into Woodbine last week.

"He worked a bunch of times down there," said Danny Vella, who trains Field Commission and also is part-owner of the Ontario-bred 5-year-old horse. "He came here pretty much ready to run."

Vella said Field Commission would have been back earlier but also had been under consideration for Keeneland's Grade 3 Shakertown, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race that was run on Saturday.

"We wanted to make a decision, before bringing him back north," said Vella.

Field Commission had his first recorded workout of the season here on Monday, going five furlongs in 1:01 under his new rider, Emile Ramsammy.

"Six furlongs on the Polytrack is probably his most vulnerable race," said Vella. "On the turf, I think we're not as vulnerable. If a horse like Hollywood Hit gets loose, it hurts us the most."

Hollywood Hit, the 2-1 second choice on the track's morning line, is unbeaten in his last four starts, all in front-running fashion.

Six furlongs on the turf was the scenario for Field Commissioner's greatest success. He rallied to capture the Grade 3, $547,400 Nearctic here last October.

Field Commission also won the Grade 3 Vigil over seven furlongs on Polytrack after finishing a close third in the Jacques Cartier.

This year's Vigil will be run here on May 9.