Fairway to Heaven has right to improve this round

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fairway to Heaven has about three lengths to make up on El Cohete to have a chance in Thursday’s Woodbine headliner. He could certainly do it as a new gelding in the nonwinners-of-two event combining Ontario-sired stock with $40,000 claimers.

El Cohete failed to scratch into the 2023 King’s Plate. He went to the sidelines after a runner-up finish on the grass in late September and was a wide fifth in his May 19 season opener.

In a June 16 Tapeta sprint, El Cohete ran evenly for second when traveling the 6 1/2-furlong distance of Thursday’s race. The son of Society’s Chairman was more aggressive over seven furlongs on the main turf July 7, when he fought for the lead with the eventual winner en route to finishing a clear second.

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Luis Contreras retains the mount on El Cohete for trainer Mike DePaulo. They combined for a lot of success with 2011 Canadian champion male 3-year-old Pender Harbour.

Fairway to Heaven got the winter off after graduating from off the pace with a $40,000 claiming tag in his fourth start Dec. 17. The Florida-bred ran fifth behind two of his current rivals when experimenting on the grass in his May 26 comeback.

Fairway to Heaven was claimed from another fifth-place finish behind El Cohete for $40,000 in his last outing by trainer Abraham Katryan, who promptly had him gelded. Going back five years, Katryan was 0 for 9 off the claim, but Fairway to Heaven could end the drought for him after posting three quick half-mile works since he was gelded.

Leo Salles retains the mount on Fairway to Heaven, who should have a good setup if all the speed hooks up.

Uncaptured Moment finished sixth and third in El Cohete’s last two races, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the closer make some noise in his fourth race off the sidelines. Jeffrey Alderson will ride him again for trainer Dale Desruisseaux.

Jaggersgotagun and Victory Town could link up on the lead, with Roar of the Crowd in close proximity on the outside.

Trained by Gail Hughes, Jaggersgotagun led until deep stretch before giving way grudgingly to the debuting Next Pitch in his June 15 seasonal bow. When switching to the turf most recently, the 4-year-old made all the running under Jose Campos.

Victory Town has been campaigned sporadically since trainer Sid Attard claimed the 7-year-old for $40,000 in the fall of 2021. He was in dismal form before this spring, when he was a front-running third in back-to-back turf races on different courses. The hot apprentice Sofia Vives picks up the mount on the Speightstown gelding.

Roar of the Crowd, a three-quarter brother to Pender Harbour, trailed at this level June 16 in his first start off a $25,000 claim and a blowout maiden victory.

Post time for the eight-race card is 4:50 p.m.

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