Drexler holds a strong hand with tough trio

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Marty Drexler has a chance to sweep the trifecta in Thursday’s featured sixth race at Woodbine with Priceless Will, Speedy Hans, and Pine Knoll. Nine others were entered in the first-level allowance with a $32,000 claiming option, a 6 1/2-furlong Tapeta sprint with a base purse of $73,800, as Woodbine looks to resume racing after canceling two races on Saturday and the entire Sunday card.

There were three fatal breakdowns Saturday at Woodbine, one during morning training and two during the afternoon’s races. After Owen’s Tour Guide took a bad step and fell at the quarter pole resulting in fatal injuries in the Grade 3 Bessarabian Stakes, the decision was made to cancel the final two races on Saturday, including the Autumn Stakes.

After consulting with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, the Jockeys’ Guild, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Woodbine officials canceled Sunday’s card. Track officials planned to continue track maintenance and were to meet with Tapeta consultants.

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When racing resumes Thursday, Priceless Will will be coming off a better-than-looked score for $25,000, the price at which he has competed since spring. Over a track that favored speed, he trailed a nine-horse field on the backstretch before closing strongly to win by a length with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure, his highest in more than a year.

Leading rider Sahin Civaci retains the mount on Priceless Will, who was claimed by the successful partnership of Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman in 2022.

Speedy Hans also beat $25,000 claimers in his last outing, doing so by three lengths with an 81 Beyer going 6 1/2 furlongs. The venerable 7-year-old has only run one clunker since returning from a layoff in the spring and received a 90 Beyer three back when second to Pine Knoll.

Rafael Hernandez chose Speedy Hans over Pine Knoll, who got a whopping 96 Beyer in the aforementioned front-running tally Aug. 11. He hasn’t come close to duplicating that performance in three subsequent starts at this level and is exiting a flat fourth when going from five to six furlongs. His 6 1/2-furlong record is poor, but the addition of jockey Fraser Aebly might be to his benefit.

Have a Souper Day had a fruitful 2023 campaign for Drexler, which included two scores at this class. He resurfaced with trainer Jim Ensom off 10-month layoff Oct. 13, ending up fifth a troubled start.

Moon Landing finished a clear second to Priceless Will after rallying from fourth when getting some class relief Oct. 10, easily his best effort since trainer Phil Hall claimed him for $32,000 in July.

Forest Buzz is moving up off the $25,000 acquisition by Hall, who has posted good numbers off a claim since the beginning of 2023. After beating nonwinners-of-three rivals in May, he failed to find the mark in a series of starts at this level.

Among the two entrants with early foot, Silent Miracle looks faster than Kinetic Stone.

Silent Miracle ran lights-out last time in a starter allowance/optional claimer, scoring by 5 1/4 lengths over Souper Success with a whopping 95 Beyer. His ability to get the job done after withstanding a speed duel is certainly a feather in his cap.

Kinetic Stone took an awkward step heading into the turn before tiring when boosted up to this class Oct. 13. He defeated $25,000 conditioned stock in his penultimate start under Eswan Flores, who’s sticking with Silent Miracle in this spot.

Jamiesta closed for third behind Silent Miracle two back and was along for second to Speedy Hans most recently. He’s an obvious candidate for the lower rungs of the exotics.

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