Don't Leave Me a cut above Friday rivals

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grade 3 stakes winner Don’t Leave Me has landed in a cozy spot in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a second-level optional claimer at nine furlongs on the grass.

A 4-year-old trained by Malcolm Pierce, Don’t Leave Me won the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park and the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen here on the grass in 2015. One of her best performances was a narrow loss to the talented Midnight Miley in last year’s La Lorgnette Stakes here.

Don’t Leave Me has started just twice this year. After a long layoff, she was a flat fourth behind a sizzling Hot Kiss in the Trillium Stakes on June 19. She has been idle since July 22, when she was outfinished for second in the allowance prep for the Flaming Page Stakes, which was won by the eventual Flaming Page winner, Goodyearforroses.

A quality field of 10 fillies and mares was entered in the feature, which is scheduled to be run in the outermost lane 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

Don’t Leave Me, by Lemon Drop Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-61

◗ How is she eligible for this event? The conditions allow for non-winners of a race since last Sept. 9 to compete, and her most recent score came in the Ontario Colleen on Aug. 22, 2015.

◗ She has worked regularly since early August and should be ready to roll under Eurico Da Silva, who is 9 for 56 at the meet when teaming up with Pierce.

Wealthy Shipman, by Midshipman

Last 3 Beyers: 85-75-71

◗ The versatile chestnut won three in a row on two different surfaces this summer, including a first-level allowance. She seemed headed for victory before her narrow loss in a one-mile event at this level Aug. 19. She ducked out in the stretch and was disqualified from second to fourth.

Dyna’s Recoleta, by Dynaformer

Last 3 Beyers: 69-81-85

◗ She has worked nicely since closing for second in the 1 1/2-mile Flaming Page, which was taken off the turf and run on the Tapeta. Her previous form on the grass was decent, including a seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Nassau.

Norquay, by Fairbanks

Last 3 Beyers: 82-86-79

◗ She won a shorter turf route at this level July 9 and is returning to action on short rest off a dull effort in the Grade 3 Seaway on the Tapeta.

Ice Festival, by Awesome Again

Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-78

◗ After returning here from a series of races on the East Coast, she blew away first-level allowance types traveling nine furlongs Aug. 7. That was her first start for trainer Sid Attard.