Gypsy Ring has much going for him in Woodbine sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Gypsy Ring has maintained solid form throughout the Woodbine meet, and will likely be favored in Friday’s seven-furlong headliner, a second-level allowance with a $62,500-60,000 claiming option.

Gypsy Ring finished second in two Ontario-sired stakes this year, the New Providence and Shepperton, in which he faced tougher competition than what he’s up against Friday. His lone unplaced effort at the meet came in a slow-paced allowance July 4, when he was too far back over a Polytrack that favored speed horses such as Queen’s Plate winner Big Red Mike.

A chink in Gypsy Ring’s armor is that he is winless in four Polytrack starts over seven furlongs, but he won his maiden over that distance on the grass, and was beaten only a head in the seven-furlong Deputy Minister Stakes in 2009.

Last time, in a six-furlong allowance on turf, Gypsy Ring came from mid-pack to win despite drifting out in the stretch. Chantal Sutherland retains the mount on him for owner-trainer Paul Buttigieg, who’s had a career year.

Don’s Folly rallied from off fast fractions to capture the restricted Kenora Stakes in his next-to-last outing. He had little pace to run at most recently against Ontario-sired stakes foes in the seven-furlong Overskate, and was never in the hunt.

Slade Callaghan will ride Don’s Folly, who is running with a $60,000 claiming tag.

Daniel Be Good figures to lead the way, with Court of the Realm in close proximity.

Daniel Be Good helped to set a tepid pace before tiring to third in both the Overskate and Mt. Sassafras stakes on Oct. 13. Three starts ago, he won a seven-furlong optional claimer on the grass under apprentice Omar Moreno.

Court of the Realm blew away maiden special opponents traveling seven furlongs Sept. 18, and then doubled up in a 1 1/16-mile allowance. In the latter event, he pressed a lively pace before pulling away to prevail by three lengths in a quick clocking.

Regally Ready drew the undesirable 1-hole. He earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure in a four-length allowance victory Sept. 25. His works since then have been fast for a Steve Asmussen trainee.

Spider Rock won 5 of 9 starts last year, and is 2 for 5 at this stand. He’s coming off a rare lackluster performance in an optional claimer on turf.