Distance, course a plus for Dowse's Beach in Nearctic Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Dowse’s Beach finished second in the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes in his first start at Woodbine on Aug. 19 and will be looking to finish one spot better in Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Nearctic Stakes over six furlongs on turf.

Dowse’s Beach set the pace in the Play the King and nearly held on to win before being caught by Conquest Panthera. Trainer Brad Cox said shortening up to six furlongs should suit Dowse’s Beach well.

“He handled the turf course there fine, and we were super pleased with the effort,” he said. “Seven-eighths was probably a little bit of a stretch, so we’re hoping that the shortening will help him a little bit.”

Following the Play the King, Dowse’s Beach finished fourth as the 9-5 favorite in the restricted Lucky Coin Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Sept. 1 at Saratoga. Cox said the configuration of Woodbine’s turf course will benefit Dowse’s Beach.

“He likes the turns there at Woodbine just like the turns at Belmont,” he said. “The distance suits him, and I think he’s ready for a big effort.”

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Key Contenders

Dowse’s Beach, by Disco Rico
Last 3 Beyers: 89-101-102

◗ Cox claimed Dowse’s Beach for $62,500 on May 7 at Belmont Park. Since then, Dowse’s Beach has won two of four starts and placed in the Play the King.

White Flag, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 98-93-87

◗ The 3-year-old will face elders once again in the Nearctic and is riding a three-race win streak for trainer Christophe Clement.

◗ He recorded his first stakes win in the Allied Forces at Belmont Park in his most recent start Sept. 10, making a four-wide move into the stretch and holding off the heavily favored Big Handsome.

Cotai Glory, by Exceed And Excel

◗ The lone European in the field ships in off a narrow defeat in the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury, a race he won last year.

◗ The six-furlong distance is a bit of a question mark, but he figures to get a nice stalking trip with his outside draw.

Yorkton, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 94-38-78

◗ Yorkton bounced back from a bad loss nicely in the King Corrie Stakes on Tapeta on Sept. 4, taking the field gate to wire to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

◗ He is returning to turf. Three starts back, he won the Charlie Barley Stakes over a mile on turf July 2.