For Don't Leave Me, questions of form and distance
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The graded stakes winner Don’t Leave Me is the class of Friday’s Woodbine allowance feature, the prep for the Flaming Page Stakes, but is she as good as she once was, and does she want to go 1 3/8 miles on turf?
Don’t Leave Me had a productive 3-year-old campaign in 2015, winning a pair of Grade 3 stakes, the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park and the Ontario Colleen here on the grass. She also finished a close second in the La Lorgnette Stakes here to the sometimes-brilliant Midnight Miley, who romped in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron here last Sunday.
Don’t Leave Me went to the sidelines after coming up empty Oct. 24 in the Grade 3 Valley View at Keeneland. Following an eight-month layoff, she finished a flat fourth in the Trillium, an overnight stakes on the Tapeta here June 19.
Don’t Leave Me has worked extensively over the turf training course since her comeback. Top jockey Eurico Da Silva will ride her again for trainer Malcolm Pierce. They are a combined 5 for 34 at the meet.
Five others were entered in the $74,500 headliner, the eighth on a nine-race card. Lane 3 will be used on the turf course.
KEY CONTENDERS
Don’t Leave Me, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 81-61-78
◗ She has never competed beyond nine furlongs, which is the distance over which she finished a troubled fourth in the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill.
◗ She is by the stamina sire Lemon Drop Kid, who won the Grade 1 Belmont. Her dam, See How She Runs, was a stakes-winning sprinter/miler.
Copper Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 80-62-83
◗ She was blocked early in the stretch last time before making up some ground to end up fifth in the restricted Zadracarta Stakes going seven-eighths, a distance that is a bit short for her. Her form has been mediocre over the past year, but a stretch-out in distance could be just what the doctor ordered.
Ticking Katie, by Baltic King
Last 3 Beyers: 78-87-83
◗ The 5-year-old is winless in five starts since landing her North American debut in an optional claimer at Belmont last summer for trainer Brian Lynch. After a nonthreatening fifth in the Grade 3 Beaugay at Belmont in May, she wound up sixth in the slow-paced Trillium.
Goodyearforroses, by Azamur
Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-77
◗ The European import was beaten five lengths when eighth after a stalking trip in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly here July 3.