Gonetofar hasn't peaked yet

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Gonetofarr, who earned one of the highest Beyer Speed Figures by a 2-year-old at Woodbine this year in her last outing, should be favored in Sunday's $144,180 Ontario Lassie, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for Canadian-bred juvenile fillies.

Trainer Reade Baker said Gonetofarr, a daughter of Southern Halo, has come a long way since the spring.

"I wasn't high on her at first," Baker recalled. "She barely made time when I first breezed her, but she just needed time, so we turned her out for six weeks. She breezed super after we brought her back in, and every step since then has been positive."

Gonetofarr was second to the talented Boston Twist in her debut, and then won her second start in a six-furlong maiden special Sept. 16.

Gonetofarr subsequently finished third behind probable champion

2-year-old filly Ginger Gold and Mulrainy in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes. She cut back to seven furlongs for a recent allowance, and came from just off the pace to beat Southey while earning an impressive 88 Beyer.

Even though she was beaten 7 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth, Baker said he has no qualms with running Gonetofarr around two turns again.

"She has a pedigree which will go long," Baker noted. "She wasn't [dead fit] for the Princess Elizabeth, but still wasn't losing ground at the end. The winner was a superior horse, and Mulrainy had had a race around two turns, which we didn't have."

Baker expects Gonetofarr to improve with age. "She's a long, stretchy filly," said the trainer, "and I think she'll be a lot better looking as a 3-year-old. I'm thrilled with her progress."

Jono Jones retains the mount on Gonetofarr, who is owned George Farr.

Completing the field are Winning Chance, Galadriel, What a Breeze, and Halo Alfaari.

What a Breeze, trained by Earl Barnett, was a fast-closing second in Gonetofarr's maiden triumph, and finished just a half-length behind that rival when fourth in the Princess Elizabeth. She won her maiden with ease in a seven-furlong dash Oct. 28, earning a 77 Beyer in the process.

What a Breeze is out of Canadian Oaks winner Hope for a Breeze, who is a half-sister to the dam of graded turf stakes winner Dr. Kashnikow.

Trainer Roger Attfield runs the uncoupled duo of Galadriel and Winning Chance.

Galadriel got a 67 Beyer when she toppled Ontario-sired opposition in the Oct. 31 South Ocean Stakes. Winning Chance was recently third in a 1 1/16-mile allowance.