Florida Won could get rematch with Red Rifle in Seagram Cup
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Florida Won earned a career-best 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Dominion Day on July 1 and will be looking to turn the tables on Red Rifle in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Seagram Cup Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack at Woodbine.
A deep field of 12 was entered in the Seagram Cup, which features the top three finishers from the Dominion Day. Florida Won broke inward and was well off the early pace in the Dominion Day but closed well along the rail and was outkicked by Red Rifle in the stretch, losing by 1 1/4 lengths.
“It was a great effort,” said Mark Casse, who trains Florida Won. “He gets over the synthetic extremely well, and he’s been training well since the Dominion Day.”
Florida Won captured the Grade 3 Ontario Derby with an 87 Beyer last September in his only other start on Woodbine’s Polytrack.
Casse also has entered recent allowance winner Conquest Top Gun in the Seagram Cup.
:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Sunday
KEY CONTENDERS
Florida Won (Last 3 Beyers: 101-82-87)
◗ He originally was slated for a start at Saratoga and breezed five furlongs on dirt there Thursday before being rerouted to Woodbine after Red Rifle was entered in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday.
◗ He’ll be making his third start of the year and could be set for a peak effort with speed to chase in front of him.
Red Rifle (Last 3 Beyers: 103-59-106)
◗ He survived an inquiry to win the Dominion Day after coming in on a rival in the stretch and prevailing with a driving finish under Alan Garcia.
◗ He has drawn the far-outside post and likely would be the favorite if he were to run. However, he could be scratched from this race after being cross-entered in the Bowling Green.
Pender Harbour (Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-84)
◗ He exits a third-place finish in the Dominion Day after being steadied in the stretch.
◗ He won the restricted Steady Growth Stakes over Asserting Bear at this distance in June with a 95 Beyer.
Midnight Aria (Last 3 Beyers: 87-93-91)
◗ He didn’t have his best effort when sixth in the Dominion Day but should be forwardly placed once again in this spot.
◗ He finished second to an emerging Are You Kidding Me at this distance in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes on June 7.