Galina Point ready to bag elusive win in Ballade Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Galina Point could put an end to her “seconditis” when she gets some class relief in Saturday’s $125,000 Ballade Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired fillies and mares at Woodbine.
After capturing the Lady Angela Stakes last spring, Galina Point suffered some heartbreaking defeats, most notably nose losses to Brooklynsway in both the Bison City and Algoma stakes. Galina Point wound up second in her two appearances at this stand. Following a two-length loss to champion Leigh Court in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes, she was beaten five lengths by the sharp shipper Cactus Kris in the Grade 3 Hendrie.
Saturday’s 10-race card also includes an overnight stakes, the $100,000 Sweet Briar Too for fillies and mares, along with two grass allowances and a maiden 2-year-old dash.
KEY CONTENDERS
Galina Point, by Saffir
Last 3 Beyers: 85-84-89
◗ There’s lots of speed in the lineup, and it figures to set up for a stalker or closer. This diminutive 4-year-old fits the bill, although she’s winless at six furlongs.
Tahnee, by Where’s the Ring
Last 3 Beyers: 80-89-88
◗ She breaks from post 11 in the 12-horse field and should be the dominant speed in her first outing since October.
◗ She faded to fourth after setting a rapid pace in last year’s Ballade, just 16 days after romping in a five-furlong allowance in her first start of 2015.
Peggy O, by Philanthropist
Last 3 Beyers: 83-75-71
◗ The 4-year-old came from fifth to win her season opener in a five-furlong optional claimer.
◗ She possesses tactical speed and could sit a good trip behind the leaders before making a bid.
River Maid, by Where’s the Ring
Last 3 Beyers: 83-78-80
◗ After toppling first-level allowance opposition in her comeback on the second day of the meet, she pressed the pace over an anti-speed track en route to a narrow score in a second-level allowance.
Scotty’s Model, by Mr. Scotty
Last 3 Beyers: 85-77-94
◗ She makes her first start of the year. Trainer Norm McKnight’s layoff runners have been effective here this spring, and this 6-year-old won the first time out in 2014 and 2015.
Charming Delilah in sprint stakes
There is also ample speed in the Sweet Briar Too, an open, seven-furlong race, and it could set up for Charming Delilah, who’s exiting a slow-starting fifth in the 6 1/2-furlong Hendrie. She won her last seven-furlong race, an optional claimer on grass here in October. Other contenders include Midnight Miley, Chic Thrill, Green Doctor and Copper Kitten.