Freefourinternet brings Atto cast to a possible dozen

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The field for Sunday's Grade 1, $1 million Atto Mile grew Tuesday with the news that Freefourinternet would be shipping in from Kentucky for the turf race.

Freefourinternet, a 5-year-old horse trained by Joan Scott, is coming off a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Firecracker Breeders' Cup Handicap, a one-mile turf race at Churchill Downs on July 5.

Robby Albarado has the mount on Freefourinternet, who will carry 117 pounds under the allowance conditions of the Atto Mile. As of Tuesday, a field of 11 or 12 was expected.

Tap the Admiral, the winner of the Firecracker, will be one of the 121-pound highweights in the Atto Mile. Also carrying 121 pounds will be Sarafan, a Grade 1 winner in 2002, and Perfect Soul and Soaring Free, both Grade 2 winners this year.

Wando, winner of the Canadian Triple Crown and one of two 3-year-olds in the field, gets in with 114 pounds, but his jockey, Patrick Husbands, rides at 117.

First Quarter worked five furlongs in 1:00 on the E.P. Taylor course here Tuesday and her trainer, Jim Day, remained on the fence regarding her Atto Mile status.

First Quarter, a 4-year-old filly whom Day trains for the Come By Chance Stable of his mother, Edna Arrow, also is a candidate for Sunday's Grade 2, $250,000 Canadian Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

With the rail well out and the rubber cones known as dogs up, First Quarter and stablemate Rough Day worked in company on the outside half of the turf course.

First Quarter was ridden by Jim McAleney, and apprentice Chad Beckon was aboard Rough Day, a maiden 3-year-old gelding who was clocked in 1:01.

"She tracked him nicely, cruised on by down the lane, and galloped out real nice," said Day. "McAleney liked her. It was the first time he's been on her."

Day said McAleney will ride First Quarter if she goes in the Atto Mile, but Pat Day has the call if she runs in the Canadian.

Pat Day has the mount on Moonshine Hall for the Atto Mile.

The post position draw for the Atto Mile will be held Thursday. The honorary drawmaster will be Geoffrey Bodine, a prominent NASCAR driver and owner.