Galina Point will stretch out in South Ocean Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse entered Galina Point, Modus Operandi, and Shez a Masterpiece in Saturday’s $125,000 South Ocean Stakes at Woodbine, but said the latter could be scratched from the 1 1/16-mile test for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Galina Point was purchased privately by owner Gary Barber after her easy maiden victory Sept. 27. A month later, she rallied to finish second behind a sharp Green Doctor in the six-furlong Fanfreluche Stakes.

“We like her a lot,” Casse said. “She trains like a good horse. She likes to lay in pretty good, so we changed her bit and stuff, and she worked extremely well the other day.”

Shez a Masterpiece, who was claimed for $80,000 at Del Mar by Barber, is coming off a runner-up finish in the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth Stakes on Nov. 2.

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“The only way we would run her is if Galina Point is under the weather,” Casse said.

Modus Operandi was supplemented for $2,500 off a gate-to-wire score over $25,000 maidens.

“She’s trained really well since she won,” Casse said. “She breezed like a different horse the other day. She doesn’t have a whole lot of other options. It’s a shot in the dark, but every now and then, you shoot in the dark and you hit something.”

The South Ocean attracted eight others, and goes as race 8 on an appealing 10-race program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Galina Point (Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-53)

◗ This will be her first start beyond six furlongs. She is out of a mare who ran a distance and who has produced two route winners in North America. The average win distance of her sire Saffir’s offspring, however, is just 6.1 furlongs.

Del Cielo (Last 3 Beyers: 57-60-44)

◗ This towering daughter of Philanthropist is dropping in class off a front-running third in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes, from which runner-up Brooklynsway exited to capture the rich Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

◗ She has worked quickly this month, including a five-furlong move in 59.20 seconds last Saturday, which was the fastest of 55 at the distance.

Shez a Masterpiece (Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-72)

◗ Casse said he is eyeing the Coronation Futurity (Nov. 29) or the Ontario Lassie Stakes (Nov. 30) for the diminutive chestnut’s next start if she doesn’t go in this event.

Ella’s Music (Last 2 Beyers: 28-60)

◗ After winning her debut, she couldn’t keep up during an inside trip in the Fanfreluche. The daughter of champion and Queen’s Plate winner Not Bourbon is out of the Grade 1-winning millionaire Tap to Music, who produced Grade 2 Summer Stakes winner Bear’s Kid.