Hillaby uncertain to run in Zadracarta
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hillaby, Canada’s reigning champion female sprinter, heads a quality field Saturday at Woodbine in the $100,000 Zadracarta, a seven-furlong turf event for Ontario-breds.
However, trainer Mark Casse also is eyeing another overnight stakes for Hillaby, the $100,000 Sweet Briar Too, a seven-furlong Polytrack race scheduled for Wednesday on Canada Day.
“I am still looking at the Sweet Briar and will make a decision on Saturday morning,” Casse said.
Hillaby won four of five outings last year, most notably the Grade 2 Bessarabian, for which she got a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. She has been idle since that seven-furlong stakes here Nov. 16.
“We have trained her pretty hard for this start, so I believe she will be ready,” Casse said.
Nine others were entered in the Zadracarta, the eighth on a 10-race program.
Zadracarta, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Hillaby (Last 3 Beyers: 92-93-81)
◗ Her only poor performance came after a layoff on grass last Sept. 20 in the Avowal Stakes. She missed some training prior to that race because she had been sold through a dispersal sale for $500,000 to Stonestreet Stables.
Skylander Girl (Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-87)
◗ The versatile 4-year-old has been an ATM for owner and trainer Alex Patykewich, earning $611,680 in 23 starts on turf and Polytrack.
She romped two starts back in the Grade 3 Hendrie but wasn’t a factor most recently after failing to flash her customary speed in the Grade 2 Nassau on grass.
Wavell Avenue (Last 3 Beyers: 90-74-74)
◗ The New York shipper is coming off a six-length romp in a second-level optional claimer on dirt at Belmont for high-profile trainer Chad Brown, who won two stakes here with Native Bombshell in recent years. She hasn’t competed on grass since a lackluster performance first time out last summer at Saratoga.
Silent Treat (Last 3 Beyers: 30-90-76)
◗ She wired an excellent field that included Why Katherine and Smartyfly in last year’s Zadracarta but has been conspicuous by her absence from competition this year. She needs the lead to be effective and might have the swift Executive Allure to deal with on the front end.
Paladin Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-58)
◗ She made a bid for the lead early in the stretch before flattening out to finish third in her first turf outing in a nine-furlong optional claimer June 6. Seven-eighths should be more suitable for the popular Grade 3 winner, who is making her third start following an extended layoff.