Casablanca Kiss steps up to seven furlongs

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Can Casablanca Kiss carry her speed for seven furlongs? That is what handicappers must consider in the featured second-level optional claimer Friday at Woodbine.

Casablanca Kiss made the most of an abbreviated four-race campaign in 2015, during which she toppled $40,000 opposition in her season opener. After a summer break, she ran third with a $60,000 tag before narrowly losing a $40,000 claimer and then finished a nonthreatening fourth in another $60,000 optional claimer Nov. 22.

Going five furlongs April 22 following a five-month layoff, Casablanca Kiss vied for the lead over a speed-favoring track before giving way late to end up second behind the improving Peggy O.

Casablanca Kiss has worked extensively since her return, including a half-mile in a bullet 47.40 seconds on the Tapeta on May 27. Her three-race record at seven-eighths includes a second and a third. It’s a little farther than she wants to go, but the competition isn’t imposing, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her stay the trip.

Alan Garcia inherits the mount on Casablanca Kiss from Jesse Campbell, who has landed on Ida Bambina. Garcia figures to have her forwardly placed after breaking from post 1 in a six-horse field.

The headliner is the eighth race on an appealing nine-race card that includes a pair of grass events.

KEY CONTENDERS

Casablanca Kiss, by Pure Prize

Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-81

DRF Formulator Fact: Going back five years, trainer Marty Drexler has a 28 percent win average the second time off a layoff, with a return on investment of $2.92.

Ida Bambina, by Where’s the Ring

Last 3 Beyers: 78-83-76

◗ She is winless since last summer but has been consistently productive during that time for trainer Mike De Paulo, who took her to Gulfstream for the winter. After nearly winning an optional claimer there in January, she finished a distant fourth behind the good Stonetastic in a minor stakes.

◗ Off a two-month freshening, she finished fourth behind champion Leigh Court here in the Grade 2 Whimsical before a lackluster performance as the favorite in an optional claimer May 1. Campbell takes over from the retired Justin Stein on the 5-year-old.

Shesanaturalblonde, by Wando

Last 3 Beyers: 69-70-79

◗ She rallied for third behind a sharp Hot Kiss over a track that favored the inside and speed when going long in her first run of the season. Her trainer has had some success with turnbacks.

Remebel, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 80-64-71

◗ She struggled last year, but her seasonal debut wasn’t bad. She wound up fourth after mounting a belated wide bid from off slow fractions.