Financingavailable seeks elusive graded-stakes win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Financingavailable has accomplished a lot in her 25-race career. She has won 14 races, including eight stakes, and has earned over $1.1 million. She has yet to win a graded stakes, but might be able to attain that elusive goal Saturday at Woodbine in the seven-furlong, $150,000 Seaway.

Financingavailable, last year's champion older female in Canada, won her first two starts of the year, including the Ballade Stakes on the Polytrack. She was second as the favorite in the Grade 3 Royal North Stakes at six furlongs Aug. 6, then rebounded with a victory over Ontario-sired opposition in another turf stakes, the 1 1/16-mile Victoriana on Aug. 19.

Trainer Lorne Richards is content with the way Financingavailable has progressed during the past month.

"Going into the Royal North, she had been horsing and the weather was hot," Richards said. "It put her off her game a little bit, but I was still pretty sure that she'd run good. She seems to be a little more herself going into this race. She runs well on the turf, but I really like her on the Polytrack. I think she's a little better on there."

Richards bypassed Monday's restricted Algoma Stakes in favor of this more lucrative spot, in which Financingavailable could bolster her worth.

"Getting her a graded win would help her residual value," Richards said.

She's Indy Money, a beautifully bred daughter of A.P. Indy, looks to have the best chance at an upset. She won her first stakes last time out in the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Matron on July 22, holding off Arden Belle, who has since won two stakes, including the Algoma.

Trainer Malcolm Pierce said he decided to point She's Indy Money toward the Grade 3 Seaway after the Matron.

"She was kind of all out going two turns," said Pierce. "At that time, I thought she might be better going seven-eighths. But after watching what Arden Belle went on to do, I'm not sure what to think.

"This race is graded, which is always important for fillies. It would sure increase her value. I was hoping to see Financingavailable show up in the [Algoma], but you can't duck one horse."

Turf specialist Count to Three won a money allowance on the Polytrack last fall, and could have a say in the outcome.