I'm Speechless sheds claiming tag

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - I'm Speechless will continue his remarkable march up the class ladder as the probable favorite in Wednesday's Woodbine feature, a six-furlong preliminary allowance worth $61,600.

Trained by Bob Tiller, who purchased him for $5,000 at a Kentucky yearling sale, I'm Speechless won his lone 2-year-old start, against $62,500 maidens last November. He finished fourth as the favorite for $40,000 in his Aug. 21 season opener, and has won each of his four subsequent outings after leading at every call.

I'm Speechless's streak began when Tiller mysteriously dropped him to $20,000 Aug. 30. He repeated with ease against $25,000 opponents two weeks later, and then struck again for $32,000. Trainer Sid Attard claimed I'm Speechless from the latter race, and won a $62,500 race with him Oct. 17. Tiller claimed him back from that race for $57,500.

I'm Speechless, who makes his first start without a tag Wednesday, is definitely fast enough to get the job done from a Beyer Figure perspective, having earned a 91 last out.

His entrymate, Appas Tappas, has struggled since ending up second to stakes-placed Sophia's Prince in a Sept. 11 allowance, and is shedding blinkers.

Cloud Jumper got a 91 Beyer when he defeated a solid field of $40,000 claimers Sept. 13. He was claimed that day by trainer Ross Armata, and in his next start finished third in an allowance taken off the grass.

Cloud Jumper, normally a closer, dueled up front with Appas Tappas and longshot Potato Lad in an allowance Oct. 9 before losing by a head to Potato Lad.

Irish Wager was claimed for a bargain $16,000 in June by Scott Fairlie, who is second in the trainer standings behind Tiller. Irish Wager subsequently won two conditioned claimers, and has finished third or fourth in each of his last three starts, all at this allowance category.

Stronach Stable entrymates Sand Burner and Gold Meteor each failed to finish his last race.

Sand Burner won his maiden over Chimborazo two races back. He fell over a rival who had broken down on the backstretch last time, and has since worked twice for trainer Malcolm Pierce.

Gold Meteor won second time out June 30, and has worked on a regular basis since being distanced in an Aug. 10 allowance.

Chimborazo was beaten three-quarters of a length by Sand Burner in his Sept. 12 debut, and is coming off a slow maiden win.