Grandy's Glory has best shot as closer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There's no shortage of speed in Friday's Woodbine feature, a second-level allowance and optional claimer where the erratic Grandy's Glory could prevail after tracking the leaders on the outside.

Grandy's Glory, a 3-year-old trained by Mike DePaulo, won the six-furlong Fanfreluche Stakes with ease after coming from just off the pace last fall. Her other two victories both came on the front end, including in her season opener in a second-level allowance.

Grandy's Glory never challenged in three consecutive restricted stakes in the spring and summer, and her slump continued in an $80,000 claimer Sept. 2. She showed signs of life in another $80,000 contest Oct. 14, in which she wound up fourth after lacking room in the stretch and altering course. A razor-sharp Yolie won that race, and the third-place finisher, My List, subsequently took the Bessarabian Stakes.

Most recently in the seven-furlong Jammed Lovely Stakes, Grandy's Glory dueled three wide through moderate fractions before fading to finish eighth.

Grandy's Glory will shorten up to six furlongs on Friday, and will compete with a $60,000 claiming price. Her rider, Justin Stein, has 9 wins from 77 mounts at the meet for DePaulo.

Completing the field are Bear Bullet Too, Only if Split, Sweetdetermination, La Salle Glory, Princess Laila, and Runaway Sunshine.

Bear Bullet Too has drawn the undesirable 1 hole, and jockey Jim McAleney might be caught between a rock and a hard place. If he lets her roll, she figures to have company up front, and she hasn't had much success as a closer. Bear Bullet Two led during moderate fractions en route to a three-length score over favored Ginger Bay in a seven-furlong allowance Nov. 24. The Beyer Speed Figure of 87 she got then matched her highest Beyer as a 2-year-old.

Only if Split graduated in the restricted Muskoka Stakes last year, and has won 4 of 8 outings this year. Only if Split disposed of an early challenger before pulling away for a half-length tally in a $40,000 claimer two weeks ago. She is entered for $60,000.

Sweetdetermination has run four straight solid races, and should be a come-from-behind threat.