Cotey poised to continue hot streak

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Owner-trainer Dave Cotey has been resurgent at Woodbine recently, racking up a triple last Friday and compiling a record of 4-2-0 from his last six starters.

And, after a day of rest Sunday, Cotey figures to be front and center again Wednesday with solid contenders for the co-featured 2-year-old allowance races on the nine-race program.

One Quiet Cat, a Kentucky-bred who was a 3 1/2-length winner for a $40,000 claiming tag last time out, comes back at the same six-furlong distance in the evening's first race.

The first-level allowance has attracted a field of six, and One Quiet Cat should get a perfect stalking trip from his outside post.

"He got in a bit of trouble last time, but when he got loose, he won easily," said Cotey, who also sent out One Quiet Cat to win at first asking for $32,000.

Constant Montpellier, who retains the mount on One Quiet Cat, has ridden three of Cotey's recent winners plus the two runners-up. Montpellier also added a pair of wins and a pair of seconds from five mounts here Sunday.

Ports N Porsches, Cotey's only other starter on the card, will be solidly backed in the third race, a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

The Florida-bred Ports N Porsches has yet to cross the wire on top, with his lone victory coming via disqualification in a mile-and-70-yard maiden special here Sept. 28.

Thinking Out Loud, the first-place finisher that day, came back to win his maiden and then upset the $254,370 Coronation Futurity, a 1 1/8-mile race for Canadian-breds, here last Thursday.

Ports N Porsches, meanwhile, returned to finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length by the stakes-placed California-bred Top Authority, in a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles.

"He just cruised up to the other horse and put a head in front, but then he pulled himself up," said Cotey.

Hard Core Topic, a Kentucky-bred trained by Reade Baker, also should be well supported off his 11 1/4-length maiden victory at seven furlongs in the slop here Oct. 23.

"I don't know if it was the mud, or the competition, or it was just him," said Baker. "But, it should be the perfect setup for him. I think he will really run well."

Wednesday's program also will mark the return of apprentice Justin Stein, who is the runaway leader in the jockey standings at Hastings. Stein rode here for two days in August, winning with one of four mounts. Stein is using his agent from Hastings, Trapper Barroby.