Ghostly Presence among fillies prepping for Woodbine Oaks in Selene Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ghostly Presence, the winner of the Princess Elizabeth Stakes last season, returns to two turns in Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Ghostly Presence won the Princess Elizabeth Stakes over 1 1/16 miles last November and finished fourth behind Enstone in her seasonal debut in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes on April 30. Ghostly Presence had been entered in the Grade 3 Appalachian Stakes over a mile on turf at Keeneland on April 13 but did not draw into the race off the also-eligibles list.

Allyson Walker, assistant trainer to Roger Attfield, said Ghostly Presence may have needed a race in the Fury but added that the daughter of Ghostzapper has progressed nicely since that start.

“She had a long layoff,” Walker said. “She came out of that race really well. We’re all very happy with how she’s training. I think it got her bearings back. She’s been breezing awesome.”

Four of the 10 horses entered in the Selene are nominated to the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies. The 1 1/8-mile race on Tapeta is June 11. Ghostly Presence, Fury Stakes winner Enstone, Financial Recovery, and Cindervella all could be using the Selene as their final prep for the Oaks.

Selene Stakes, Race 8

Key Contenders

Ghostly Presence, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 65-75-55

◗ Ghostly Presence stalked Enstone early in the Princess Elizabeth and prevailed by a half-length. She could find herself in a similar position in the Selene.

Enstone, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 76-74-77

◗ She was a dominant winner of the Fury Stakes on April 30, drawing away in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths. She could be the controlling speed in the Selene. She was the pacesetter in two starts over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta last season: a runner-up finish in the Princess Elizabeth and a 7 1/4-length victory as a maiden.

Silhouette, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 81-68-70

◗ She steps up to stakes company off her four-length maiden win over seven furlongs on Tapeta back on April 23, when she earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Jesse Campbell will be aboard for the first time, as Rafael Hernandez, who was aboard for the maiden win, will ride Financial Recovery.

Grizzel, by Kodiac
Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-64

◗ She won her Tapeta debut for trainer Mike Doyle with an 80 Beyer in the allowance prep for this event over 1 1/16 miles on April 28. She was exclusively a sprinter in her nine starts in Europe but has run well in both of her route races in North America.

Gale Force, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 78-67-54

◗ She won her career debut going two turns in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes last season and ran second behind Grizzel in the allowance prep for this event off a layoff. Woodbine’s leading rider, Eurico Da Silva, retains the mount.