'Executive' back against 3-year-olds

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Blonde Executive, who defeated older opponents in her season opener, will be favored against Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's $133,250 Lady Angela Stakes.

Cut and Shoot heads Saturday's supporting feature at Woodbine, the $106,000 Afleet Stakes, a six-furlong dash for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Blonde Executive, a homebred owned by Bruno Brothers Farm, had a fruitful 2-year-old campaign, during which she won three races, including the six-furlong Victorian Queen Stakes. Her only start this year was over a sloppy track, in a five-furlong optional claimer on May 2, and she battled through rapid fractions before drawing clear. Her time of 58.10 seconds translated into a big 91 Beyer Figure.

Trainer Radlie Loney said he wasn't surprised by Blonde Executive's most recent performance.

"She had been training good, and I really thought she'd run well in there," Loney said. "It worked out well, because we wanted to get a good race into her before the Lady Angela."

Blonde Executive has posted two quick five-furlong workouts on the training track since her comeback race. "She worked real good both times," Loney said. "She's in excellent shape."

Also entered in the seven-furlong event are My Vintage Port, La Grande Mamma, Ashlee's Bella, Finnerty's Frolic, Desert Crown, Smart Serve, and Chilham Castle.

My Vintage Port was voted champion 2-year-old filly in Canada last year on the strength of her three stakes triumphs, all in restricted company. She suffered a 22-length loss when she launched her current campaign on turf, in the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland, and most recently was a well-beaten third here in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes.

Trainer Ken Parsley said My Vintage Port has developed a bad habit of backing out of tight situations.

"It happened at Keeneland, and again in her last race," Parsley said. "She was up there close to the pace, and then sucked herself back. We've tried to correct the problem, and she seems to be all right now. We've been galloping her in company on the inside, to get her comfortable with horses."

Parsley, who is pointing My Vintage Port toward the June 13 Labatt Woodbine Oaks, said he scratched her from last Sunday's Grade 2 Selene Stakes because of her 123-pound impost and the sloppy conditions.

"I didn't want her to give five pounds to those horses, especially on a deep, tiring track," Parsley said. "I had this option with the Lady Angela. It's not the best option, because it's only seven-eighths. She can handle the distance, but I think she's a little better going two turns."