Dolder Grand fits class-wise but will have to overcome layoff

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – There’s no stakes on Sunday’s 10-race card at Woodbine, and a conditioned allowance with a $50,000 claiming option traveling 1 1/16 miles goes as the featured ninth on the Tapeta.

Dolder Grand has been trying to clear the second allowance category since his sophomore season in 2021, during which he graduated with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure and then doubled up with an allowance win before back-to-back fourths in a pair of Grade 3 stakes.

Dolder Grand filled out the exacta in 4 of 5 starts last year, all in Tapeta routes. The pricey son of Candy Ride has been on the sidelines since a flat fifth-place finish as the favorite on Dec. 4.

Trainer Mark Casse’s long-term comebackers in routes at Woodbine have been effective, but Dolder Grand might need a race before getting back into peak form. Emma-Jayne Wilson breaks him from the rail, and it will be the first time she’s ridden the D. J. Stable runner in the afternoon.

Conglomerate and Bringer of Rain finished sixth and 10th, respectively, in the Grade 2 Eclipse here June 4.

Trained by Marty Drexler for owner Frank Meli, Conglomerate won his final 2022 start here in December before embarking on a winter campaign at Gulfstream Park, during which he was competitive against starter/optional-claiming opposition without finding the mark.

:: Get ready for summer racing with a DRF Formulator Quarterly PP plan

Conglomerate made it back to the winner’s circle after a trouble-free trip in a tough conditioned allowance with an $80,000 claiming option here May 7, a race where several contenders were mired in traffic. He was beaten seven lengths after a wide trip in the Eclipse, from which third-place Tyson and the winner, Treason, exited to run first and second, respectively, in the Grade 3 Dominion Day.

Conglomerate competes for the $50,000 tag and is being reunited with Sahin Civaci, who was aboard for his last two victories. Civaci is 4 for 22 at the meet for Drexler.

Bringer of Rain got the winter off after dead-heating for the win while clearing the first allowance condition on Dec. 11. He was overmatched in the Eclipse and could get back on track in his third start off the shelf. Kazushi Kimura takes over for trainer Barbara Minshall, and the meet’s leading rider was aboard when Bringer of Rain earned his diploma last September.

Chiefswood Stables sends out front-runner Malibu Edge and stretch-runner War Court.

Malibu Edge set a fast pace before weakening to third behind Gaston and a wide-closing War Court when they both came off the bench May 28. Despite shedding the blinkers, Malibu Edge should still lead the way on Sunday.

He’s a Macho Man ran in all three legs of the 2019 Canadian Triple Crown before going on hiatus and is returning from a layoff of nearly four years.

Rounding out the field are longshots Clear Destination and Seventyseven Stone.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.