Circle of Friends risks perfect 2017 record in King Corrie Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Coming off his first stakes victory in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on July 14, Circle of Friends will look to double up in Monday’s $100,000 King Corrie Stakes, an overnight stakes for 3-year-olds over 6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Circle of Friends has won all four of his starts this year, all sprints. He was nominated to the Queen’s Plate earlier in the year, but trainer Robert Tiller and owners 3 Sons Racing Stable opted to keep him sprinting, a move that has paid off handsomely.

“He’s a very happy, very fit horse with talent,” Tiller said. “He’s been managed properly. We didn’t go the Queen’s Plate route. He’s undefeated this year. His record speaks for itself.”

Circle of Friends earned a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes, where he closed into a quick pace to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Uncle B.

Key Contenders

Circle of Friends, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-81

◗ Jockey Eurico Da Silva had won with 14 of 52 mounts (27 percent) for Tiller at this meet through Friday, with 10 of those wins coming with Circle of Friends and Pink Lloyd.

Yorkton, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 38-78-93

◗ He stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance in the Bruce D. Memorial Stakes over a mile on the Polytrack at Arlington Park in his most recent start Aug. 12.

◗ His Tapeta form at Woodbine has been strong this season and includes a win in the Queenston Stakes over seven furlongs May 13.

Uncle B, by Sensational

Last 3 Beyers: 68-88-86

◗ He was steadied late in the stretch after being bumped in a six-furlong sprint on turf against older horses Aug. 13 and returns to Tapeta in this spot.

◗ He finished second in a pair of sprint stakes on Tapeta against 3-year-olds this season, including a runner-up finish behind Circle of Friends in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes two starts back.

Bet On Mike, by Biondetti

Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-89

◗ He returns to Tapeta after running in turf sprints against older horses in his last two starts. In his last start on Tapeta, on June 21, he earned a career-best 89 Beyer in a 3 1/4-length victory against allowance foes.

◗ His form has dramatically improved since adding blinkers and Lasix for his maiden win back on May 12. He’s earned Beyers in the 80s in each of his four starts since then.

Bugle Barry, by Cactus Ridge

Last 3 Beyers: 70-59-58

◗ He ships up to Woodbine on the strength of back-to-back wins on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs.

◗ He finished third at odds of 69-1 in his only stakes try, the Tom Ridge Stakes at Presque Isle in May.