Doctor Jack back to face familiar foes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Old rivals will square off in Friday's seventh race at Woodbine, when Doctor Jack, Arepeatee, and It's Time Bear compete in an allowance sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds that have never won two races.

Doctor Jack is the most accomplished runner in the nine-horse field, finishing second in the Bull Page Stakes and third in two other stakes, but he has been off since November.

Last July 26, Doctor Jack convincingly won his maiden, defeating a field that included runner-up Arepeatee and fifth-place finisher It's Time Bear in a five-furlong sprint. He also finished 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Arepeatee and nine lengths in front of It's Time Bear last October in the Bull Page.

Jim McAleney will ride Doctor Jack, who changed trainers over the winter, going from Danny Vella to Ian Black.

Arepeatee also had a busy 2-year-old campaign, compiling a record of 1-1-1 in 8 starts while earning more than $70,000. He needed five tries to win his maiden, then ran third in the Bull Page and sixth in the Frost King.

In his first start this year on April 16, Arepeatee raced near the back of the pack early before rallying strongly down the center of the track to finish a close third. He received a career-high 70 Beyer Speed Figure in that five-furlong allowance, which was won by front-running favorite Gritttani.

Chantal Sutherland retains the mount on Arepeatee, who is named after trainer Robert Tiller's initials.

It's Time Bear is making his first start as a gelding following a winter hiatus. He won his maiden on the front end in his third start in September, and then went to the sidelines after finishing a fading seventh in the Oct. 12 Bull Page.

It's Time Bear has worked extensively on the training track and the Polytrack this spring for trainer Reade Baker, who has enlisted apprentice Omar Moreno.

D's Legend Storm has been idle since finishing a front-running third in the Nov. 4 Frost King, which came 18 days after he won his debut. This will be his first start for trainer Earl Barnett.

Officeinthevalley parlayed a wide, stalking trip into a three-length tally when he debuted over five furlongs April 11.

Iwillgotothemoon was fourth behind Arepeatee when he returned from a long layoff April 16.