Eastern Atlantic brings improved form to Friday route feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – There are some classy mares in Friday’s 1 1/16-mile Woodbine headliner, including Eastern Atlantic, who’s been rejuvenated this year under the guidance of trainer Ricky Griffith.

Eastern Atlantic finished fourth in two stakes in August 2013. Griffith claimed her when she won for $25,000 the following May, but she didn’t do anything of note for him until she returned here this spring after a winter campaign at Gulfstream.

Eastern Atlantic won her second start of the meet for $25,000 in May and then narrowly lost at that level before beating $32,000 opposition July 26. She looked the part of a winner at the head of the stretch in an optional starter two weeks ago but was overtaken in the final strides by a much fresher Waitinginthewings.

There are not many $40,000 claiming routes that fill here on the Polytrack, and this one went with a compact field of five in the eighth of nine races on the program.

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover for the ninth race is $11,944.

KEY CONTENDERS

Eastern Atlantic (Last 3 Beyers: 71-69-68)

◗ Justin Stein, who was aboard for each of her victories at the meet, gets the call on Friday. His overall numbers on Griffith-trained starters are solid.

Aunt Els (Last 3 Beyers: 75-55-67)

◗ The 5-year-old captured the Ontario Lassie Stakes at 2 for owner and breeder RMC Stable. She had another fruitful campaign in 2014 but is winless in four outings this year.

◗ She set moderate fractions before gradually fading to fourth last time in the $108,000 Belle Mahone, an overnight stakes. Emma-Jayne Wilson will ride her again for trainer Nick Gonzalez.

Waitinginthewings (Last 3 Beyers: 72-64-71)

◗ She has a history of performing well off a layoff, so it wasn’t surprising to see her gun down Eastern Atlantic to win her first appearance of the year Aug. 26.

◗ Trainer Ashlee Brnjas has a good strike rate with runners making their second start after a long layoff, but this 6-year-old is a bounce candidate while competing on fairly short rest.

◗ Jermaine Bridgmohan, who recently returned to Woodbine, retains the mount and is 2 for 10 at the meet aboard Brnjas runners.

Awfully Sinful (Last 3 Beyers: 63-65-64)

◗ She never threatened in the Aug. 15 Flaming Page Stakes on the grass after ending up third in Eastern Atlantic’s July 26 tally.

◗ The stakes-placed mare is out of a full sister to Grade 1 winner Seek Again and from the family of champion Davona Dale, so she should have a future in the breeding shed.