Gierkink's preview: Bison City draws top contenders

The three entrants in the $250,000 Bison City Stakes who have been competitive against the recent Queen’s Plate winner Lexie Lou are the main players in this 1 1/16-mile test for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Wild Catomine (8-5) edged out stablemate Lexie Lou for the victory in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes before ending up second to her in the nine-furlong Woodbine Oaks. She’s the one to catch under Gary Boulanger.

Hot and Spicy (3-1) split Wild Catomine and Lexie Lou while finishing a game second in the Fury and lost all chance after stumbling badly at the break in the Oaks. The Saratoga shipper can get anxious during the pre-race festivities, so her connections schooled her in the paddock here Friday. A positive post parade appearance makes her appealing at what should be a square price.

Paladin Bay (2-1) finished a flat fourth as the favorite in the Oaks and bypassed the Queen’s Plate in favor of this easier/shorter second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara. She was a determined winner of the Grade 3 Selene Stakes over Grade 1 winner My Conquestadory. Is she past her prime, or will she rebound?

Brooklynsway goes in Shady Well Stakes

Brooklynsway, who debuts in this 5 1/2-furlong stakes for Ontario-bred juvenile fillies, won’t be anywhere near her 20-1 morning-line price off some fancy drills, including a rapid gate work June 25.

Brooklynsway was a $9,000 yearling purchase by owner-trainer John Ross, who campaigned last year’s Canadian champion, the 2-year-old Go Greeley, and Lexie Lou, who was sold in the spring.

Henke stretching out in the 10th

Henke (2-1), named after the former Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Tom Henke, should welcome the move out from a third-place finish going 1 1/16 miles to 10 furlongs in this Ontario-sired allowance. The 4-year-old gelding is by stamina sire Sligo Bay, and his trainer, Julia Carey, has won at a blistering 30 percent clip at the meet.

Other contenders in the nightcap include Booze Hound, Bay King, Sine Metu, and Niigon’s Turn.

Horses to Watch

REMEBEL
Trainer: Reade Baker
Last race: July 11, 6th
Finish: 11th by 9
Beyer: 50

Something was bothering her before this seven-furlong maiden special, in which she was the logical 3-1 favorite on paper. She acted up in the post parade, dumped her rider, and was never in the hunt in the race after an awkward break. Give her a mulligan only when her pre-race behavior improves.

IRISH DESIRE
Trainer: Mike Doyle
Last race: July 12, 6th
Finish: 4th by 6

The maiden was supplemented into the Clarendon Stakes, in which he missed the break before closing belatedly to miss third by a nose and a neck. The Ontario-bred could have a productive future.