Fury a starting point for Oaks-bound fillies

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sunday’s $125,000 Fury Stakes at Woodbine is a means to an end for many of the 3-year-old Canadian-bred fillies in the seven-furlong sprint, including the unbeaten Ellan Vannin.

Both of Ellan Vannin’s races came in November on the Tapeta here, including a 2 1/2-length victory in the Ontario Lassie Stakes. Trainer Tony Gattellaro said Ellan Vannin is a Woodbine Oaks prospect but ultimately should find her calling on the grass.

“I worked her last year over the lawn one time, and it’s my belief that she’s considerably better over the lawn than the Tapeta,” Gattellaro said. “[We decided] to keep her here in Ontario over the winter with that in mind. We don’t want to empty her out too soon trying to win the Oaks. It would be nice to win the Oaks, but we’re looking at a turf campaign as our No. 1 goal with her. She’s not cranked up, but it’s a legitimate starting spot for her.”

The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on June 11 will be the main objective for most of the other eight Canadian-breds in the Fury lineup.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ellan Vannin, by Spring At Last
Beyers: 68-64

◗ Gattellaro said he’s pointing her toward the third leg of the Canadian triple tiara, the $225,000 Wonder Where Stakes over 10 furlongs on turf here July 30.

Mythical Mission, by Giant’s Causeway
Beyers: 70-59-65

◗ She won on the grass here in her debut and then won an allowance route on the Tapeta. She has been idle since ending up third in the Nov. 12 Princess Elizabeth Stakes on the Tapeta. She spent the winter at Tampa Bay Downs with trainer Malcolm Pierce.

“We all know that her future is going to be on the grass, but it would be nice to see if we can get ready and make the Oaks,” Pierce said. “She was struggling a little bit on the dirt at Tampa. We had to keep breezing her there, but I’ve noticed a big difference on her moving over the Tapeta since we’ve come home.”

Ghostly Presence, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 75-55-54

◗ The Princess Elizabeth winner, she wintered in Florida before working at Keeneland. She’s capable of running big fresh, as evidenced by her eight-length debut score.

Enstone, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-37

◗ Off some rapid works, she should be prominent from the outset in her first start since a front-running second in the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth. Seven-eighths should be right up her alley.

Cindervella, by Silent Name
Beyers: 64-65-59

◗ She came from far back to finish second to Ellan Vannin in the Nov. 30 Ontario Lassie, and she wintered at Gulfstream before working impressively here on the Tapeta.