Gray Dee One ready to return after quick works
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The fast worker Gray Dee One returns from a layoff in Friday’s Woodbine headliner for nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers. She looks good to go in the seven-furlong Tapeta sprint that lured seven other fillies and mares.
Gray Dee One went to the sidelines after finishing a distant sixth behind some formidable opposition in the May 16 Ruling Angel Stakes. Victorious Dixie Law eventually took the important Wonder Where Stakes, runner-up Meilani returned to win the Alywow Stakes, and third-place finisher Luster subsequently won the Woodbine Oaks and King’s Plate. Gray Dee One’s best of three previous races was her maiden score last October.
Gray Dee One breezed a solo five furlongs in a quick 1:00.60 twice in September, which included an eye-catching gate drill Sept. 27. Expect her to show speed in her first start under the capable Xarel Forde, who will get a leg up from trainer Devon Gittens.
During the past five years, Gittens won at a 14 percent clip with 61- to 180-day layoff runners, with a meager return on investment of 85 cents for every $2 wager.
The sixth-race lineup also includes Pepper Patch, Xarabella, Prophetic Debby, Daddy’s Secret, and Princess Jade.
Pepper Patch was freshened by trainer Catherine Day-Phillips after tailing off early in the summer. When tagged for the first time against Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens in her return to action Sept. 26, she closed outside from sixth over a rail-biased track to win going away with a 71 Beyer Speed Figure.
Ryan Munger retains the mount on Pepper Patch. The South African native is 4 for 17 at the meet for Day-Phillips, which included a stakes score on Katie’s Grace.
Xarabella was competitive at the first allowance category early in the meet before a failed turf experiment on the inner course Aug. 1. She flattened out to third after attending the pace two back and is dropping off a non-threatening fifth in another nonwinners-of-two allowance a month ago. David Moran has the call for trainer Mike DePaulo.
Prophetic Debby has stuck to routing since the spring. The Irish-bred rallied for third when favored at this level on the inner turf July 30. She checked in fifth in each of her last two outings against nonwinners-of-two allowance types. Daisuke Fukumoto will ride her again for trainer Barbara Minshall, who has low numbers with turnbacks.
Daddy’s Secret polished off Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens with a 71 Beyer on July 20. She went on to finish second at this level going seven furlongs on the main turf and is coming off a second in a slowly-run Tapeta sprint. Stretching back out to seven furlongs might be to her benefit.
Princess Jade has been in a tailspin since mid-May, when she wound up second behind the speedy Veery in a first-level allowance/optional claimer. Her form is more appealing if you ignore her two lackluster performances on the grass this year.
Post time for the eight-race card is 1:05 p.m.
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