Devastating rarin' to run a big race

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Devastating, a late scratch from the recent Passing Mood Stakes, should be a serious threat in Wednesday's Eternal Search Stakes at Woodbine.

Just three other Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies were entered in the 1 1/16-mile race, which is worth $100,000.

Devastating displayed some promise when she graduated in a romp near the end of the 2000 Woodbine meet. She won a seven-furlong allowance in her second start this year on May 11, and doubled up two weeks later in a 1 1/16-mile race for $62,500 optional claimers.

Devastating was rated just off a slow pace on a speed-favoring track June 9 in the Labatt Woodbine Oaks, but began to retreat on the far turn and was a well-beaten sixth behind Dancethruthedawn, who beat males in her next appearance in the Queen's Plate.

Trainer Robbie King Jr. felt Devastating was too pooped to fire her best shot in the nine-furlong Oaks.

"The Oaks was her third race in a month," King pointed out. "She runs hard every time, and it just took its toll on her. We freshened her up and set her up for that turf race, but she got hurt that night and we had to take her out."

King was referring to the July 18 Passing Mood, in which Devastating was she made the third choice in the morning line behind unbeaten Highland Mood, the eventual winner.

"She gets all wound up around feed time, and ended up jumping on herself in her stall," King recalled. "I think she would have handled the turf without any problems. I worked her on it twice myself, and she went very easily."

Devastating, who should be the controlling speed in the Eternal Search, is sitting on a big effort, according to King.

"She's very, very sharp," he stressed. "She's just a game little horse."

Regular rider Frank Todd Jr. will pilot Devastating for Orange Blossom Stable. Rounding out the Eternal Search lineup will be Classy Daniela, Classical Romance, and Moonlight Affair.

Moonlight Affair captured the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes on April 22 for Stronach Stable, currently the hottest owner at Woodbine. She was second in each of her two subsequent outings, including the Passing Mood. Tino Attard trains.

Classical Romance was victorious in the 2000 South Ocean Stakes for trainer John Cardella. She finished third in her seasonal debut in the Lady Angela, but has failed to hit the board in her last four outings.

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