Gamble's Ghost ready to step up in Trillium Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Gamble’s Ghost will look to record her fourth graded stakes victory in the Sunday feature at Woodbine, the Grade 3, $125,000 Trillium Stakes for fillies and mares over 1 1/16-miles on Tapeta.

Gamble’s Ghost capped off her 2017 Woodbine season with three straight wins, culminating with a victory in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes over 1 1/4-miles on Nov. 4. She then ran fourth in the Grade 3 Rampart Stakes on dirt Dec. 16 at Gulfstream Park and was given the rest of the winter off.

She returned in the allowance prep for the Trillium on May 21 at Woodbine, finishing third behind My Arch Enemy and Ickymasho. The May 21 card produced three wire-to-wire winners on Tapeta, and trainer Josie Carroll said Gamble’s Ghost’s closing style may have worked against her that day.

“It’s probably a better race than it looks on paper,” she said. “She came out of it well and she’s headed into this race well, so we’re optimistic.”

Carroll also has entered Silhouette in the Trillium. Silhouette won twice in six starts last year. The Trillium will be her first start since she finished fifth in the La Lorgnette Stakes last September.

“She showed a lot of promise last year,” Carroll said. “She had a minor setback that caused us not to run her over the winter and she’s been coming back very well. We’re eager to try her in stakes company.”

Key Contenders

Gamble’s Ghost, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 78-83-88

◗ All three of Gamble’s Ghost’s graded stakes victories have come on synthetic surfaces at Woodbine, including two at 1 1/16 miles. She’s recorded four wins in six starts at the 1 1/16-mile trip on synthetic at Woodbine, including a victory in the Belle Mahone Stakes last season.

Miss Mo Mentum, by Uncle Mo

Last 3 Beyers: 86-54-58

◗ After a pair of subpar efforts on dirt at Gulfstream Park this winter, she returned here to win the Grade 3 Selene Stakes while overcoming traffic trouble at the top of the stretch. The Selene runner-up, Dixie Moon, won the Woodbine Oaks with an 88 Beyer Speed Figure on June 9.

◗ She’s the lone 3-year-old in the field and will face older fillies and mares for the first time.

Ickymasho, by Multiplex

Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-NA

◗ After coming from England and joining trainer Roger Attfield’s stable over the winter, she has paired 89 Beyers in her first two starts in North America.

◗ Her first start for Attfield came in the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf April 27 at Keeneland, and she was close to the pace and finished third. Last time out in the Trillium prep, she held an inside stalking position, but couldn’t catch My Arch Enemy.

My Arch Enemy, by Arch

Last 3 Beyers: 90-74-79

◗ She won the allowance prep for this event in gate-to-wire fashion with a 90 Beyer.

◗ She figures to be on the lead again under jockey Gary Boulanger, who’s been aboard for all eight of her starts at Woodbine.