Circle of Friends faces stiff opposition in Ontario Jockey Club

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The talented Circle of Friends may get his sternest test to date when he meets a solid group of 3-year-olds over six furlongs in the $100,000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on Friday at Woodbine.

A runner-up in his lone 2-year-old outing, Circle of Friends won three in a row during the spring. After graduating in a five-furlong maiden special weight race here April 21, he won a six-furlong allowance by two lengths. Most recently, against older opposition in a second-level optional claimer, he came wide from fifth to upset the favored Ted W, scoring by a neck with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

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Trainer Robert Tiller gave credit to owner 3 Sons Racing Stable for not pushing Circle of Friends toward the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate here July 2.

“He’s a serious sprinter,” Tiller said. “I’m not going to stretch him out. Up to seven-eighths, I think he’s a very good horse. That’s what I believe. He’s not bred to run long on the dam’s side, and he’s not going to run long. I have an owner who understands that many a horse gets ruined going to the Plate.”

Six others were entered in the overnight stakes, including the supplement Undulated, a struggling shipper who took the Swynford Stakes here last fall. Post time for the first race is 3:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Ontario Jockey Club (race 6) going off at 6:26.

KEY CONTENDERS

Circle of Friends, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 90-81-80

◗ He’s by a champion sprinter who sired Queen’s Plate winner Midnight Aria. He’s a half-brother to Kenora Stakes winner Quick Code and the aptly named 12-time winner She Ain’t Bad. All three were bred by Ericka Rusnak.

Mill Road, by Quality Road

Beyers: 93-63

◗ He missed the break and was rushed to the lead before fading to fourth in his June 4 debut. He subsequently worked in spectacular fashion, so it wasn’t surprising to see him romp in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race June 25.

Katalox, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 85-66-77

◗ In his last start, he captured the Bold Ruckus Stakes, a six-furlong event on turf for Ontario-sired sophomores.

Lokinforpursemonee, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 79-85-88

◗ The three-time stakes winner mounted a wide bid to end up fourth in the Bold Ruckus, which came after a third-place finish behind Yorkton in the restricted Queenston Stakes.

Uncle B, by Zensational

Last 3 Beyers: 86-76-81

◗ He has been freshened and has worked well since finishing second to Lokinforpursemonee in the April 22 Woodstock Stakes.