Experience may give Crumlin Time an edge in South Ocean Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Experience often counts for something with 2-year-olds, and Crumlin Time has the most of it in Saturday’s $100,000 South Ocean Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired fillies at Woodbine.
Crumlin Time took a few starts to put it all together. After ending up seventh in her June 2 debut, she rallied for third in an improved performance July 8. Three weeks later, she dropped a neck decision in another maiden special weight dash, and then finished a belated fifth in the Aug. 29 Muskoka Stakes for graduates of local yearling sales.
After landing a maiden special weight route on Sept. 19, Crumlin Time took the long way home when sixth most recently in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes.
“She had a wide trip in a tough field and didn’t get beat all that far,” trainer Mike Doyle said.
Doyle said Crumlin Time developed a hock problem that kept her out of the Nov. 4 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
“She popped a curb that I had to do a little work on,” Doyle explained. “It’s a little swelling around the ligaments that run over the back of the hock. We freeze-fired it. It works great every time. She’s been training great.”
Just four others were entered in the South Ocean, which goes as the eighth on an 11-race card.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Crumlin Time, by Sligo Bay
Last 3 Beyers: 62-49-49
◗ The bargain $10,000 yearling purchase is bred for the task at hand. She’s by the sire of Queen’s Plate and South Ocean winner Lexie Lou. Her dam produced stakes winners Resentless and Isabella Bay, who captured the South Ocean in 2010.
Notice Me, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 49-49-57
◗ After running second in her five-furlong opener on Aug. 29, she romped in a seven-furlong maiden special. Last time in the six-furlong Victorian Queen Stakes, she finished a lapped-on fourth behind Silent Mistake, who subsequently doubled up in allowance company.
◗ Her trainer, Catherine Day Phillips, campaigns the best Court Vision offspring, Grade 2 stakes winner Mr Havercamp.
Preferred Guest, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 50-50-52
◗ Over a track that favored outside closers, she rallied inside for second when debuting in the 6 1/2-furlong Muskoka. She went on to finish a close third in the Victorian Queen, but could only manage fourth as the favorite most recently in a maiden sprint.
◗ Trainer Mark Casse is adding blinkers to her equipment.
Falcon’s View, by Souper Speedy
Last 3 Beyers: 51-36-47
◗ She ran well in both of her two-turn excursions. She finished second in Crumlin Time’s graduation and is coming off a 5 1/2-length maiden victory.
