Chircop targets 1-2 finish in turf allowance
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Steve Chircop sends out Dazzling Cruiser and Zo Zucchera in Sunday’s featured first-level allowance/optional claimer, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles in lane 4 on the main turf.
Dazzling Cruiser made her last three starts on the grass, beating nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired and $40,000 claimers three back on the inner course. After ending up third on the inner turf Aug. 16, the 6-year-old ran second to Talent Show in another route at this level on the main course Oct. 4. Talent Show returned to finish a troubled second in a tougher conditioned allowance.
“I honestly think that she’s an underachieving horse,” Chircop said. “For some weird reason, she just loves to hang. She’s a tough horse to ride – you’ve got to time it right. Her numbers have been getting better and she’s stepped up. She’s just knocking on the door. If you bet her races from the eighth or quarter pole, you’d be broke – she just cruises.”
Dazzling Cruiser can handle either surface at Woodbine, according to Chircop.
“She runs and works as good on the synthetic as she does on” the grass, Chircop said.
Zo Zucchera is starting for the first time since a neck loss for $20,000 in late March at Gulfstream. She was competitive in first-level allowance company there last fall on the Tapeta.
“We claimed her at Gulfstream and then she got injured here right before she was to run,” Chircop recalled. “She’s been off for most of the meet, but she’s ready to run now. Obviously, Dazzling Cruiser is the one to beat, but this horse is doing well, too. Hopefully, they can run one-two.”
Fraser Abely retains the mount on Dazzling Cruiser, and Jose Campos rides Zo Zucchero.
The 10-horse field also includes Just Magnificent, Little Lola, Retail Therapist, and Keytothepark.
After clearing the nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance condition Aug. 20, Just Magnificent rallied from far back for second behind the classy Canadian champion Elysian Field in the restricted Belfountain Stakes on Sept. 13.
Just Magnificent was a belated third behind Dazzling Cruiser when favored Oct. 4. She was a non-threatening fifth most recently in the Eternal Search Stakes for Ontario-sired stock, which was won on the front end by the favored Olivia Rose.
Little Lola is aiming for her third victory in a row. She graduated two back in front-running style in a one-mile maiden special on the inner turf and then doubled up in a seven-furlong main course sprint for nonwinners-of-two stock. She has yet to crack 70 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale.
Retail Therapist rallied for fourth in each of her last two outings against similar, most recently when traveling 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner course.
Keytothepark is stepping up off a gate-to-wire score against $25,000 conditioned claimers going long on the inner turf in her second try off the claim by trainer Tino Attard.
Completing the lineup are Z Train, I’ve Got the Honey, Loveumissumeanit, and Periwinkle.
Post time for the 11-race card is 1:05 p.m.
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