Hot Kiss streaking into Trillium Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The late bloomer Hot Kiss takes a four-race win streak in allowance company into Sunday’s $100,000 Trillium, an overnight stakes for fillies and mares at Woodbine.
A 4-year-old owned by Phoenix Racing, Hot Kiss began to blossom last fall. She won back-to-back Ontario-sired allowances using her closing style, including a 6 1/2-length romp. Hot Kiss capped her 2015 campaign in November with a half-length tally in an open allowance over nine furlongs. Following a winter layoff, she notched her season opener May 6 in a second-level allowance/optional claimer going 1 1/16 miles, the distance of the Trillium.
Trainer Mike De Paulo said he didn’t believe that Hot Kiss was cranked up for her return to action.
“She’s kind of a funny horse,” De Paulo said. “She trains herself. I didn’t think we could win going long first time out against winter-fit horses. I thought she’d get a check, but she’s just got a bit of class to her, and ability.”
Nine others are entered in the Trillium, most notably last year’s Canadian champion 3-year-old filly, Academic.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hot Kiss, by Philanthropist
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-80
◗ De Paulo loves the six-week gap between her comeback and the Trillium, which might enable her to avoid any regression.
“It’s ideal,” De Paulo said. “Her Ragozin number wasn’t that great, which leads me to think that she can go forward.”
Academic, by Henny Hughes
Last 3 Beyers: 73-89-83
◗ The 124-pound highweight was supplemented for $2,000 by trainer Reade Baker.
◗ Her championship season featured victories in the Woodbine Oaks, the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Northlands, and the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby at Hastings. She was the runner-up to Catch a Glimpse in the Sovereign Award voting for 2015 Canadian Horse of the Year.
◗ Following a winter vacation, going short May 8 in the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes, she faded to sixth after helping to set a quick pace.
Uchenna, by Fastnet Rock
Last 3 Beyers: 87-81-82
◗ She has yet to compete on the Tapeta but was fourth in last year’s Trillium on the Polytrack, over which she took the Grade 3 Ontario Matron over Strut the Course.
London Tower, by Head Chopper
Last 3 Beyers: 76-86-81
◗ Her current form is mediocre, but she had a lucrative 2015 campaign that included two stakes scores and a second in the Woodbine Oaks.
Don’t Leave Me, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 61-78-88
The Grade 3 stakes winner has worked extensively for her first outing in eight months.