Gas N Dash in spot for a rebound

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Gas N Dash had valid excuses in his two most recent races and should get back on track in Friday’s eighth race at Woodbine, a seven-furlong allowance for Ontario-sired runners.

Gas N Dash scored twice in seven outings last year but is winless in eight appearances at this stand. He wound up second in three of those races, which were all at Friday’s nonwinners-of-three level. Three starts ago, he was beaten a neck going seven furlongs after setting an honest pace.

Gas N Dash had quite a wide journey before fading to fifth in his lone turf attempt Aug. 4. Last time, over six furlongs on a Wednesday night, he raced inside most of the way over an outside-biased track before checking in fourth.

Jono Jones will ride Gas N Dash for trainer Sam DiPasquale, who had a productive first half of the meet.

Arepeatee was a narrowly beaten favorite in Gas N Dash’s last outing, after stalking a lively pace on the outside. He dropped his previous start in the seven-furlong Deputy Minister Stakes by a head to his heavily favored stablemate Race for Gold, who subsequently ran fourth in the Kenora Stakes. He also earned black type June 6, when third in the six-furlong Bold Ruckus Stakes on turf.

Arepeatee’s only poor performance this year took place when he finished a chalky fifth in a June 30 allowance, an effort that puzzled trainer Bob Tiller.

“I was very disappointed with that race,” Tiller said. “It’s hard to say what happened there. It’s the first time that he never really tried.”

Eurico Da Silva retains the mount on Arepeatee, a son of top Ontario sire Bold Executive.

Runnaway My Way has regressed since graduating in his season opener in a seven-furlong maiden special, for which he got a 77 Beyer Speed Figure. He tried the turf for the second time most recently Aug. 4, finishing third after being stuck in traffic until midstretch.

King Eddie has been sidelined since June 30, when he was a nonthreatening fourth behind American Scout and the upwardly mobile Fifty Proof in a six-furlong allowance. His last victory came over seven furlongs in August 2009.

Big Bold Dog, Not too Tacky, and Nerone are all shortening up from 1 1/16 miles.

Big Bold Dog has been a minor player at this level since putting together a two-race win streak in the spring. A slow pace may have hindered his chances last time out.