Expected Flirt logical if wet

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Wet-track specialists Expected Flirt and Leavethestudio are among the contenders in Friday's Woodbine headliner, a 6 1/2-furlong allowance for nonwinners-of-two races other than maiden, claiming, or restricted, or nonwinners-of-three races.

Expected Flirt has run three solid races since he was claimed for $60,000 by trainer Bob Tiller for The Very Dry Stable on Sept. 26. He was checked along the rail in midstretch in an Oct. 14 allowance, in which he was moved from fourth to third by disqualification.

Expected Flirt subsequently captured a sloppy six-furlong dash at the first allowance category, while earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure that was a career high. He is coming off a narrow triumph on a muddy track over a group of 3-year-old $80,000 claimers.

Jockey Patrick Husbands, who has been aboard Expected Flirt in all four of his wins, will be back in the saddle on Friday.

Leavethestudio has also proven to be a profitable claim. He was taken for $60,000 in August by CEC Farm and trainer Ross Armata, who sent him out to win a $62,500 event with a trip along a golden rail on Sept. 28.

Leavethestudio was sixth in a difficult seven-furlong race at this level on Oct. 25. Runner-up Florida Recount exited to then beat a quality allowance field while stretching out in distance. Most recently, over a track labeled good in a $50,000 claimer, Leavethestudio mowed down favored Jab in the stretch to win going away and earned a 93 Beyer.

Constant Montpellier retains the mount on Leavethestudio, who has won 2 of 3 career starts over a wet track.

Completing the lineup for Friday's $67,600 feature are Streakin Rob, Bogart, Runnin West, Adjalah, Cultural Shock, Very Professional, and Us.

Adjalah has competed exclusively at this level since finishing ninth in the June 23 Queen's Plate. He crossed the wire third on two occasions this fall, but was elevated to second through a disqualification in one of those races.

David Bell trains Adjalah, who is a full brother to recent Coronation Futurity winner Arco's Gold.

Very Professional was checked on the turn before retreating last time in a classified allowance won by Cheap Talk, who is one of the top sprinters on the grounds. Trained by Warren Wilcox, Very Professional was previously third behind Jab and Prince Monty in a $62,500 claimer at this distance.

Us, the likely pacemaker, finished fifth in a quick seven-furlong race at this level on Oct. 25. He is winless in nine starts at this meet, but could take some catching if the track is favoring speed. Vito Armata trains.

for Woodbine entries.

Subscribers: to purchase past performances for Woodbine.

Non-subscribers: to purchase past performances for Woodbine.