'Hawk' capable of repeating
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Shadow Hawk, an impeccably bred 5-year-old by Mr. Prospector, will move up in class off a sharp-looking win in Friday's Woodbine feature, a second-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles.
Shadow Hawk commenced his career with trainer Bob Baffert in Southern California, where he failed to hit the board in his first four starts in 2002. He was sent to Kentucky last fall, and finally won in a dead heat Nov. 14 in a seven-furlong maiden special weight race at Churchill Downs.
Shadow Hawk disappointed in his next three outings on dirt and turf over the winter at Santa Anita, and was subsequently sent here to trainer Josie Carroll.
In his only Woodbine start on May 16, Shadow Hawk defeated entry-level allowance opposition by 1 1/2 lengths after dueling on the lead. He earned an 87 Beyer Figure in the process, which wasn't far off the 91 he received when he won his maiden race.
Shadow Hawk is out of Selene Stakes winner Daijin, who was produced multiple stakes winner Handpainted. Daijin is a half-sister to four stakes winners, including 1989 Canadian Horse of the Year With Approval, and Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold.
Shadow Hawk drilled a half-mile over a good main track in 48.20 seconds on May 26, the fastest of 45 works at the distance. Patrick Husbands retains the mount for owners Stonerside Stable and John Sikura.
Night Sky, the lone 3-year-old in the lineup, is eligible for the June 27 Queen's Plate. He won both of his outings at 2, including the 6 1/2-furlong Sunny's Halo Stakes, but is coming off a dreadful performance over a sloppy track in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes.
Night Sky is coupled with another Stronach Stable runner, Lake Skimmer, who has been freshened since he captured a seven-furlong allowance at Laurel in March.
Dancer's Guest was recently seventh in a seven-furlong sprint at this level. The runner-up that day, The King N Rob, returned to win his next start. Dancer's Guest will stretch out to his preferred distance on Friday.
Ide Be Gone won a 1 1/16-mile allowance in good time a month ago, and has worked a bullet five-eighths in the interim. He could be poised for a peak race in his third start off a winter layoff.