Casse sends speedy pair in sprint feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse sends out the stakes-winning 3-year-old fillies Swinging Mandy and Ya Mar in Thursday’s Woodbine headliner, a nonwinners-of-three sprint combining Ontario-sired allowance types with $40,000 claimers.

Swinging Mandy had a productive 2-year-old campaign, highlighted by a victory in the Victorian Queen Stakes on the grass and a third to Ya Mar in the South Ocean Stakes on the Tapeta.

Swinging Mandy was turned over to Casse during the off-season following a private purchase by Gary Barber. She had her number taken down in a controversial disqualification after ending up first in her April 30 season opener, after which she went into a tailspin.

Swinging Mandy broke out of her slump Nov. 5, when she rode a golden rail to an authoritative score over nonwinners-of-two foes under 10-pound apprentice Sofia Vives. She breaks from the one-hole again Thursday.

The diminutive Ya Mar begins from post 5 in the seven-horse field under Kazushi Kimura.

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A homebred owned by Gabe Grossberg, Ya Mar has done all of her damage as a front-runner. It will be interesting to see what strategy she employs if Swinging Mandy is allowed to roll from the outset.

Ya Mar placed in two of her first three appearances at the meet, all in the spring. When exiting a five-month layoff Oct. 27, she established a daylight lead through the turn before fading to fifth behind Lady Moonshine, who came back to win an allowance last Saturday.

Miss Brentwood is a need-the-lead type who drew outside the other speed in post 6. She beat maidens on the Tapeta and nonwinners-of-two types on the inner turf in her two October engagements. Eswan Flores will get a leg up from trainer John Ross on the daughter of hot Ontario sire Souper Speedy.

The race could set up for Gamble’s Silver, who filled out the exacta in each of her last three starts at this level, most recently behind a sharp Lady Moonshine.

Trainer Josie Carroll sent out Gamble’s Silver to breeze a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on Nov. 7. Luis Contreras will ride her again for owner-breeder Ivan Dalos.

Taquanyah outlasted nonwinners-of-two opponents going the six-furlong distance of Thursday’s feature in her penultimate start. She mounted a belated wide bid to end up fourth behind Lady Moonshine and Gamble’s Silver on Oct. 27.

David Moran subs for the suspended Leo Salles on the Taquanyah, who’s trained by Saul McHugh.

Swirling Dancer is returning from a two-month break, during which she posted several quick works under the guidance of trainer Richard Morden. The California-bred is shedding some weight with leading apprentice Slade Jones aboard for the first time. Longshot Sterling Speed rounds out the field.

First post Thursday is 4:50 p.m.

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