Florida Won seeks repeat at same level

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The classy Florida Won prevailed first time off a $40,000 claim in a recent second-level optional claimer and will try to double up at the same level in Friday’s Woodbine headliner.

Florida Won captured the Grade 3 Ontario Derby in 2014, but he did the bulk of his damage in summer 2015, when he won the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes and the $200,000 Presque Isle Downs Mile.

Florida Won had been idle for about a year and a half when he resurfaced at the Fair Grounds early this year. His three-race campaign there on the grass was disappointing, but he was dead fit when trainer Mark Casse ran him for $40,000 on the Tapeta here May 13, finishing a deceptively good second while getting claimed by trainer Norm McKnight.

McKnight sent Florida Won out to score with a $60,000 tag on June 16, and he has since worked him twice. He competes for $60,000 again Friday, with leading rider Rafael Hernandez retaining the mount in the 1 1/8-mile race.

The feature goes as the seventh on an appealing eight-race card that also has three turf events.

KEY CONTENDERS

Florida Won, by Birdstone
Last 3 Beyers: 89-83-83

DRF Formulator fact: Over the past two years, McKnight has a 29 percent strike rate second time off the claim, with a $2.60 return on investment.

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 86-79-79

◗ The stakes-winning veteran came from off a fairly quick pace last time to finish second to the brilliant Mr Havercamp in the restricted Steady Growth. That Ontario-sired stakes contained three next-out winners, most notably Kingsport, who upset reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd in the Shepperton Stakes.

Aurora Way, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 83-79-78

◗ Last year’s Prince of Wales Stakes runner-up weakened to third behind Florida Won after helping set the pace last time out. He has improved with each subsequent start since the winter and should make his presence felt.

Black Sea, by Dubai Destination
Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-91

◗ He was a prominent third behind champion Are You Kidding Me and millionaire Melmich two back in the allowance prep for the Eclipse Stakes. Most recently, he was a non-threatening fifth going 10 furlongs in the slow-paced Dominion Day, a Grade 3 stakes.

Keen Ruckus, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-68-75

◗ The flashy chestnut made a bid to the lead in the stretch before fading to third in the 1 1/16-mile Steady Growth. His last victory came in the 2017 Steady Growth, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him topple the lot.