Fielder can win right back in second leg of Turf Sprint Series

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The classy Fielder got back on the beam in his local debut in the opening leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series. He could be even better suited to the second leg of the starter sequence on Friday, which is scheduled for six furlongs on the main turf course.

Fielder had clear sailing along the inside while closing from fourth to upset the troubled favorite, Hitters Park, in the first leg of the series going five-eighths on the inner turf. He earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure under journeyman Patrick Husbands, who proved to be a good fit for the 7-year-old gelding.

Fielder has banked more than $400,000. He notched the $100,000 Marshall Jenney Stakes for Pennsylvania-breds three years ago at Parx Racing. Since then, he’s placed in the $100,000 Laurel Dash twice and was fourth in the Grade 3 Turf Monster in 2019.

Fielder went winless in eight starts in 2020 and in his first four outings this year at Gulfstream Park before coming north of the border following a sale to trainer Donnie MacRae, who had this series in mind for him.

“He looked like one of those horses that if he did come around, he would fit into it,” MacRae said. “I didn’t know if he could get up going five-eighths, but I think with a little further distance, he could even be a little better. That’s what we’re hoping for. He’s just a class horse, with a ton of ability.”

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The durable 9-year-old Reconfigure is the 126-pound highweight in the seven-horse field. Reconfigure stalked in second before flattening out to fifth in the opening leg, his first race in eight months. He won a race in the series that was taken off the turf in 2020.

Souper Success could be coming around. In his second start off the sidelines, he wound up sixth after a wide trip while beaten just 2 3/4 lengths by Fielder.

Avoman takes shot in Plate Trial

MacRae is running Avoman in Sunday’s 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial Stakes, a key prep for the $1 million Queen’s Plate going 1 1/4 miles here Aug. 22. Victorious in the 7 1/2-furlong Bull Page Stakes on the inner turf at 2, Avoman was third in his season debut in a 1 1/16-mile Ontario-sired allowance.

MacRae said he was content with Avoman’s comeback race.

“He was very strong in the gallop-out,” MacRae said. “In the grand scheme of things, that’s what you’re hoping for with the 1 1/4-mile distance [in mind].

“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a massive field for the Plate Trial, so you go in hoping to do well and see if you can get to the big dance.”

MacRae has lined up Antonio Gallardo to ride Avoman in the Trial.