Danish Dynaformer back on turf in Breeders’ Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Queen’s Plate runner-up Danish Dynaformer will look to score a Canadian classic victory on his preferred surface Sunday in the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on Woodbine’s turf course.

Danish Dynaformer comes into the race off a sixth-place finish July 28 in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. Trainer Roger Attfield said he hopes Danish Dynaformer’s chances in the Breeders’ Stakes haven’t been impacted by running on dirt in the Prince of Wales.

“I wanted to miss the middle leg of the Triple Crown,” he said. “I didn’t want to run him on the dirt, and I wanted to go [into the Breeders’ Stakes] fresh. But we changed our minds, and I was concerned with how well he was going to go into this race. With the way he breezed [Wednesday], I think we’re in good shape. A mile and a half on the turf is to his advantage. Hopefully, we didn’t mess him up with bad management.”

Attfield said he thought Danish Dynaformer didn’t handle the dirt when the late running began in the Prince of Wales.

“He was traveling really well down the backside until he was asked to run, and he just didn’t want to quicken,” he said. “[Jockey Patrick Husbands] didn’t beat up on him when he wasn’t handling it, so that was good.”

Despite his concerns about having run in the Prince of Wales, Attfield said Danish Dynaformer appears to be in good order coming into the Breeders’ Stakes.

“He’s very well right now,” he said. “He was really fresh [Thursday] morning. I don’t think we’ve taken the edge off him at all.”

Key contenders

Danish Dynaformer (Last 3 Beyers: 82-85-87)

* He made three straight starts on grass earlier in the year and won two of those, including a first-level allowance at Keeneland over 1 1/16 miles in April.

Lucky Lindy (Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-66)

* His Beyer Speed Figures have jumped considerably since getting onto turf for his last two starts. Last time out, he finished second to Conquest Pacemaker in the Toronto Cup Stakes on July 26, and he should handle the added distance.

Breaking Lucky (Last 3 Beyers: 93-81-67)

* The Prince of Wales winner will be trying turf for the first time. Second-crop sire Lookin At Lucky has recorded 15 percent winners on grass.

Field of Courage (Last 3 Beyers: 92-80-80)

* Field of Courage also will be trying turf for the first time after finishing a half-length behind Breaking Lucky in the Prince of Wales Stakes.