Classic Mike to face four in allowance

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Classic Mike, who suffered from heat stroke after his May 30 victory, will be back in action in Friday's Woodbine headliner, an $80,000 allowance/optional claimer.

Just four others were entered in the $79,400 event: Let Him Rip, Porey Spring, Defenman, and Dignified Donovan.

Classic Mike was a major player on the Queen's Plate trail around this time last year, when he finished a troubled second to Shaws Creek in the nine-furlong Plate Trial Stakes. Sent off as the 3-1 second choice in the Queen's Plate, he made an eye-catching bid on the far turn, but then flattened out in the stretch and finished eighth.

Classic Mike was shelved for the second half of 2002 after trailing the field in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. He then switched trainers during the winter, going from Reade Baker to John Ross.

Most recently, in a second-level allowance, Classic Mike stalked a slow pace before drawing off for a three-length score while earning his second straight Beyer Speed Figure of 90. He was in distress after the race but appeared okay after getting hosed down by the commission veterinarian.

Classic Mike on Friday will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles, the distance over which he won a preliminary allowance last spring. David Clark retains the mount.

Dignified Donovan could be the main threat. Trained by Josie Carroll, he has improved with each subsequent outing since a late-winter layoff and is coming off a decisive allowance win at this distance.

Dance to Destiny headed back to turf

Dance to Destiny, a full brother to Queen's Plate winners Scatter the Gold and Dancethruthedawn, will go back to the grass in Friday's second race.

Dance to Destiny finished second in back-to-back maiden special weight engagements on turf earlier this year at Fair Grounds. He won his maiden over a muddy Keeneland main track in April and is coming off an impressive allowance win in the mud here May 11.

Dance to Destiny, by Mr. Prospector out of Dance Smartly, is also a three-quarter brother to graded turf stakes winners Strike Smartly and Full of Wonder.

Completing the field for the second-level allowance are Funny Soldier, Wolf Howl, Forget the Judge, Dancer's Guest, and Recite, who was entered for the main track only.