Hello Friends starts season in Ontario-sired sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hello Friends will be looking to continue her winning ways in her season opener in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a nonwinners-of-three hybrid sprint for Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers.

Hello Friends won 2 of 8 races and $105,500 during her breakout 4-year-old campaign in 2020. After graduating Sept. 20, she prevailed in her third try against nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired company on Nov. 22, in a six-furlong sprint that was contested in a snow storm.

The meet’s leading jockey, Emma-Jayne Wilson, will ride Hello Friends again for trainer John LeBlanc Jr. They teamed up to win a maiden race last Sunday with She’s Got Moves.

Hello Friends was named by owner-breeder Maggie LeBlanc. It was the catchphrase used by legendary former Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Jerry Howarth, who has become a fan of the diminutive mare.

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Silver Dahlia also is making her first start since November. The versatile 4-year-old defeated nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired stock while earning a 72 Beyer Speed Figure on the Tapeta on Sept. 19. Silver Dahlia rallied for third against nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired company on the Tapeta in October, after which she finished a close second at the same level in a turf sprint.

Rafael Hernandez retains the mount on Silver Dahlia, who is trained by John Mattine.

Jilli Marie, the lone 3-year-old in the seven-horse field, is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Katerina Vassilieva. Jilli Marie made her way through traffic to win her six-furlong debut against Ontario-sired maidens Oct. 3. She doubled up Nov. 14 in the 6 1/2-furlong South Ocean, winning the Ontario-sired stakes for 2-year-old fillies with a 69 Beyer. Steven Bahen has the mount on the Woodbine Oaks nominee.

Takota outlasted $25,000 nonwinners-of-two claimers when returning from a nine-month layoff on June 18. She chased Silver Dahlia home when third after helping to set the pace on Sept. 19.

Mr Ritz back in training

Trainer Josie Carroll has a strong older male horse contingent headed by Mighty Heart, Belichick, and Avie’s Flatter. The versatile Mr Ritz could be back in the fold soon after being sidelined with an injury last year.

Mr Ritz was the runner-up to Pink Lloyd in the Sovereign Award voting for champion older main-track male in 2019, when he captured the Grade 3 Seagram Cup and the Presque Isle Downs Mile. Last year, he won the Seagram again, but hasn’t raced since ending up fourth in the Grade 2 King Edward on turf in August, a race in which he got stepped on.

A 6-year-old bred by owner Earle Mack in England, Carroll said Mr Ritz has healed up and is back in training at Fair Hill in Maryland.

“If all goes well, he’ll be back,” Carroll said.