Ecstasy going for third turf win in last four starts

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ecstasy is 2 for 3 on the grass and should be dangerous in Friday’s seventh race, a conditioned allowance with an $80,000 claiming option scheduled for 6 1/2 furlongs on the main turf.

Ecstasy won an allowance route on the inner turf with ease July 13. After failing to fire behind Time to Dazzle and future Grade 2 stakes winner Simply in Front in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen, the 3-year-old notched a seven-furlong allowance/optional claimer on the main turf Aug. 30.

Fraser Aebly retains the mount on Ecstasy for trainer Sid Attard. Aebly’s apprenticeship ended last weekend, and he looks poised to become a successful journeyman at Woodbine.

Tapeta expert Pleasure’s Gold ran the race of her life against Ontario-sired females in the July 13 Ballade Stakes, during which she rallied from well back to prevail with a career-high 85 Beyer Speed Figure. Runner-up Talk to Ya Later came right back to win an allowance.

Pleasure’s Gold was in tough most recently when eighth in the Grade 3 Seaway and could bounce back with a competitive performance. Justin Stein takes over for Sid’s brother, trainer Tino Attard.

Leading trainer Mark Casse sends out Star Candy and Time Passage.

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Star Candy wintered in Florida before using her fitness edge to win a five-furlong allowance/optional claimer here April 27.

Star Candy has made her last two starts in turf stakes, ending up fifth in the Grade 3 Royal North before running seventh in the Sweet Briar Too, where she was blocked at the sixteenth pole while in the midst of her rally and was beaten just 2 3/4 lengths. The top two finishers in the Sweet Briar Too came back to score.

Time Passage attended the pace before fading to sixth when exiting a five-month break with Lasix added in the seven-furlong Seaway. She was in fine front-running form at Gulfstream Park last fall, when she won three Tapeta routes in a row, including two stakes.

Miss Vyvyanne and Owen’s Tour Guide are two more speedy runners in the eight-horse field.

Miss Vyvyanne wired nonwinners-of-two rivals with an 87 Beyer last October. She cleared the first allowance condition in her April 27 seasonal bow and won the second allowance condition June 29 before finishing a flat fifth in the Sweet Briar Too. Six and a half furlongs is farther than her optimum distance.

Owen’s Tour Guide earned Beyers in the low 90s in the spring when landing an allowance/optional claimer and when running second in the Grade 3 Hendrie. She sagged in the stretch after failing to make the lead in the Sweet Briar Too and was softened up in a speed duel in the Seaway. This is seemingly a daunting task for her.

Dolce Sopresa has been sidelined since she was promoted from fourth to third in the Royal North Stakes on June 1.

Stakes-winning router Tito’s Calling could be along to pick up some of the pieces.

Post time is 1:10 p.m.

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