Gypsy Ring figures tough in dash

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Gypsy Ring has a decided edge on his rivals in the Beyer Speed Figure department in Wednesday's featured sixth race and should be the favorite in the six-furlong allowance for Ontario-sired runners.

Gypsy Ring had a productive 2009 campaign for owner-trainer Paul Buttigieg, the highlight of which was a narrow loss in the restricted Deputy Minister Stakes. He took two unsuccessful cracks at the first

allowance condition for Ontario-sired stock in August, after which he went to the sidelines for more than seven months.

Gypsy Ring resurfaced April 11 in a five-furlong allowance and wound up a close second to Bob's Ring, who came back to beat tougher allowance company. Most recently, he earned his second straight 80-plus Beyer while romping in a 5 1/2-furlong

allowance.

Emma Wilson retains the mount on Gypsy Ring, who is one of four offspring of Where's the Ring in the field, along with D's Legend Storm, Race for Gold, and Gash N Dash.

D's Legend Storm took his debut in October in a maiden special, which set him up nicely for a third-place finish in the seven-furlong Frost King Stakes in November.

D's Legend Storm changed trainers over the winter, going from Norm DeSouza to Earl Barnett, who sent him out to win his season opener in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance, for which he got a 77 Beyer.

D's Legend Storm is meeting older opposition for the first time Wednesday, with Eurico Da Silva aboard.

Race for Gold, another 3-year-old, was unbeaten in two starts at 2. He checked in third while defeating next-out winner Bug's Boy in his only appearance this year, which came against older rivals.

Chantal Sutherland will ride Race for Gold for trainer Bob Tiller, a combination that teamed up to win last Wednesday's headliner with Arepeatee.

Gash N Dash has regressed since his decent seasonal bow and will be a longshot as he shortens up from seven furlongs.

Private Meeting is making his first start as a gelding following a six-month layoff. He won his maiden after some time off in his 2009 opener, but was ineffective during the second half of last year.

Win and Reign was a promising 2-year-old in 2008, but he never panned out. His only top-three placing in nine starts last year came in his fast allowance triumph Oct. 10.

Rounding out the field is D'wild Man, who has worked on the grass since his dismal season debut.