Frisky Whiskey sharp but vulnerable
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Notable maiden winners Frisky Whiskey and Luvyoutothemoon meet in Friday's featured ninth race at Woodbine, a 5 1/2-furlong first-level allowance for Ontario-sired runners.
Frisky Whiskey, a 3-year-old trained by Laurie Silvera, took his April 20 five-furlong debut while defeating favored Drunken Love. He earned a big 91 Beyer Speed Figure.
Frisky Whiskey will likely be favored, but because he has other speed to contend with, he could be vulnerable. Silvera has posted just a 7 percent strike rate with second-time starters exiting a victory during the last five years.
Luvyoutothemoon, a 3-year-old trained by Sam DiPasquale, made just one start at 2, but it was a good one. He finished second in an Ontario-sired maiden race behind Not Bourbon, who went on to capture the Bull Page Stakes and is currently on the Queen's Plate trail.
With the addition of blinkers, Luvyoutothemoon was bet down to favoritism when he returned from an eight-month layoff. He led throughout to score by three lengths, and was awarded an 80 Beyer.
Hubbert's Peak nosed out Bold Finale for second in a five-furlong allowance when they both made their season debuts April 18.
Hubbert's Peak was good enough to finish fourth in the 2006 Queenston Stakes, but was no better than fourth in four attempts to clear his first allowance condition last fall. He was claimed for just $10,000 from his final 2007 outing by trainer Scott Fairlie.
Bold Finale was campaigned sporadically last year by trainer Shelley Fitzgerald. He won first time out at five furlongs in April, and subsequently ran third behind future stakes winner Stonetown in a first-level allowance. His other three starts last year were all subpar.
Fitzgerald has won at a 13 percent rate second time off a layoff over the past five years.
Sand Cove finished a flat fourth behind Hubbert's Peak and Bold Finale after lacking room early in the stretch. Born Loose battled on the front end before fading to seventh when he came off the sidelines in the same race. His trainer, Red Johnson, has been very successful second time off a layoff, and is 3 for 11 at the meet.