Cricket Wicket right back

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Cricket Wicket goes for her second straight allowance score in Friday's Woodbine headliner, a six-furlong grass race for fillies and mares.

Cricket Wicket toiled on the main track last spring, before trainer David Bell put her on the turf in a six-furlong maiden special in July. She won for fun that day, and subsequently finished fifth in the seven-furlong Passing Mood Stakes.

After running decently in her first two starts this year, both on the main track, Cricket Wicket went off as the favorite in an entry-level allowance on the grass June 3. She opened up a clear early lead in that six-furlong dash, and scored an easy three-length triumph, in a rapid final time of 1:08.80 seconds. Her Beyer Figure was a career-high 85.

Accomplished grass rider Dino Luciani retains the mount on Cricket Wicket, who is owned by Bell and CEC Stables.

Ariel's Melody and Cruising Executive are both Ontario sire stakes winners.

Ariel's Melody, who hasn't found the winner's circle since she won the 2002 Victoriana Stakes, is returning from a seven-month layoff. She placed in two of her five outings last year, including one in an $80,000 optional claimer on the grass.

Cruising Executive finished nearly seven lengths in front of Cricket Wicket when she won last year's Passing Mood with the benefit of an ideal pace setup. She went on to earn minor awards in two other stakes, the Ontario Colleen and the La Prevoyante, but was far back in her only start this year, in allowance company.

My Lordship won both of her races on the main track last November, including a two-turn preliminary allowance. A daughter of Lord Avie, My Lordship is making her first start on the grass, and is a half-sister to turf stakes winner American Tourist.

My Lordship breezed five-eighths over the turf training course in 58.80 seconds June 11, the fastest of 19 workers at the distance.

Crimson Courtier could give Cricket Wicket a tussle on the front end. She made most of the running in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance over this course last June before giving way late to end up second.

Honey Green ran several strong races on the lawn here last year, including a narrow loss in a seven-furlong race at this level. She caught sloppy tracks in both of her outings at this meet.

Also entered in Friday's eighth race are Victoria Princess, Florence, Colonial Surprise, and Classy Flower.