ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The powerful chestnut Battle Strike makes his second start and stakes debut Sunday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Victoria, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds. Battle Strike, a $130,000 Keeneland yearling purchase by owner Tracy Farmer, is well regarded by trainer Mark Casse. The Ontario-bred son of Connect had worked impressively prior to his debut in a June 12 maiden special. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, he went straight to the front and widened his lead throughout the five-furlong dash, eventually scoring by 6 1/4 lengths with a 65 Beyer Speed Figure. Battle Strike has worked twice this month, including five-eighths in 1:00 on July 8. Rafael Hernandez will ride him again from post 3 in a six-horse field. Casse has won the Victoria five times, with his last victory coming with Blueblood in 2017. Velocitor and Poulin in O T both received a higher Beyer when graduating than Battle Strike. Velocitor had a terrible trip before ending up far back in second in his May 29 opener. The son of freshman sire Mor Spirit is exiting a 7 1/2-length triumph in another five-furlong maiden special, during which he put away a rival up front before drawing off while earning a big 81 Beyer. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. Leading rider Kazushi Kimura will get a leg up from trainer Kevin Attard on Velocitor. Poulin in O T got a 76 Beyer when landing his June 24 debut going gate-to-wire in a 4 1/2-furlong dash for owner-trainer Steve Owens. “He worked really well coming into the race from the gate, so I knew he could run a little bit,” Owens said. “He handled things really easily. “How good was he? I didn’t know he was that good. He’s a very laid-back horse in the morning and just does what you ask him to do. He’s big and strong. It surprised me with his performance a little bit, but it didn’t shock me.” Poulin in O T, who blew out three-eighths in 34.40 seconds on Thursday, will be ridden by Luis Contreras. Having run three times, Kaukokaipuu gets full marks for experience, with each race better than the last. After finishing a well-beaten fourth in his May 21 debut, he wound up second to Battle Strike after a stalking trip. When trainer Ted Holder moved him over to turf on July 3, Kaukokaipuu was second in a six-furlong maiden special, finishing just 1 1/2 lengths behind the fast-closing firster Phillip My Dear. Mikey Bananas and Uncle Jock are both making the three-hour trek from Presque Isle Downs. Mikey Bananas was along for second in his debut on the Tapeta at Presque Isle, after which he graduated in another 4 1/2-furlong maiden special there June 14. Trainer Tim Hamm is no stranger to success in 2-year-old stakes at Woodbine with his speedy shippers. Uncle Jock prevailed June 28 in his second start at Presque Isle, wiring Pennsylvania-bred maidens going five furlongs for owner-trainer Ron Potts.