First-time Lasix may ignite Kid Sparkle

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Kid Sparkle has a license to improve in Saturday's $150,000 Fanfreluche Stakes at Woodbine, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies.

Kid Sparkle finished a flat fifth in her first start on June 23. Following a two-month absence, she won her maiden on the front end over five furlongs, while getting a respectable 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

"We knew right away that she was a nice little filly," said trainer Paul Attard. "When she came up from Florida, they told me down there that she could be something. I worked her a couple times, and I really liked her. First time out, she wasn't quite as fit as I thought she was."

Kid Sparkle met males most recently in a 5o1/2-furlong allowance, and wound up fourth after stalking the pace. The runner-up, Not Bourbon, returned to take the Bull Page Stakes in track-record time.

"We had entered her against fillies, but the race didn't fill, so we ran her against the boys," Attard explained. "It was a tough group. We tried to rate her a touch, and that didn't work. She just likes to roll. She doesn't have to be in front. You just have to leave her head loose. She doesn't mind having horses beside her, but you don't fight her."

Kid Sparkle, the third choice on the track's morning line at 4-1 in a field of six on Saturday, has breezed five-eighths in a bullet 59 and change twice this month under jockey Emma Wilson.

"She's been working real well - a little quicker than I wanted," said Attard. "Emma came back both times saying that she didn't move a muscle on her.

"She's going to run first-time Lasix. I think [bleeding] was a factor as to why she flattened out a little last time. I'm hoping it makes a big difference."

Dawn Raid beat Kid Sparkle while winning an allowance on the front end in a track-record 1:03.37 for 5 1/2 furlongs. She rallied to win her only other outing.

Jono Jones will ride Dawn Raid for trainer Mark Casse, who also supplemented a maiden, Gold Ami, to the race.

The early post time for the first of 11 races Saturday is 11:45 a.m. There are two $100,000 stakes scheduled for the grass, the Chief Bearhart and the River Memories.

The 1 1/4-mile Chief Bearhart has lured a stellar field, headed by Sterwins and Eccentric.

Sterwins exits a runner-up placing in the Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes behind Cloudy's Knight, who returned to capture the Grade 1 Canadian International.

Trainer Malcolm Pierce said he believes Sterwins won't mind a surface switch should the Chief Bearhart come off the grass. "I think he really likes the Polytrack," Pierce said.

Eccentric upset Grade 1 winners Sky Conqueror and Jambalaya when he captured the Grade 2 King Edward Breeders' Cup Stakes here July 2.

Nottawasaga returns from a layoff in the one-mile River Memories, which drew 16 other fillies and mares.

Saskawea wins Ruling Angel in record time

Saskawea ($8.60) lowered Woodbine's 6 1/2-furlong Polytrack record while winning the $102,000 Ruling Angel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Wednesday night.

Jockey Jono Jones had Saskawea tracking front-runner Fight the Storm, who set quick fractions before fading in the stretch. Saskawea hit the front at the sixteenth pole en route to a half-length score over a closing My List. Prophetically finished another neck back in third, and favored Speak Wisely was seventh in a field reduced to 10 after two scratches.

The final time, 1:15.52, was .03 of a second faster than the previous record.

Saskawea, who earned $60,000 for owner Beclawat Stable, was coming off a three-month layoff.

"She had a bru