Impossible Time attempts 10 furlongs in Maple Leaf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Impossible Time will stretch out to 1 1/4 miles Saturday at Woodbine in the Maple Leaf Stakes, which has also lured the versatile European filly Pachattack. The $175,000 Maple Leaf heads an excellent 11-race Breeders’ Cup Day card that commences at 1 p.m.

Impossible Time has only lost once in six starts at the meet, which was a runner-up finish in the seven-furlong Zadracarta Stakes on the grass. She won each of her last three starts at 1 1/16 miles – an optional claimer, the Victoriana Stakes on turf, and the Classy ‘N Smart Stakes.

The Classy ‘N Smart, run Oct. 6 on Polytrack, was Impossible Time’s first start around two turns, and she passed the test with flying colors. After rating well off the pace on the backstretch, she rallied wide on the far turn and won by daylight under Jono Jones, who said 1 1/4 miles seems within her range.

“The way she ran last time, I can’t foresee it being a problem,” said Jones. “She’s a lovely horse.”

Roger Attfield trains Impossible Time, who is owned by Charles Fipke.

Pachattack flew here from England last month for the $1 million E.P. Taylor, a Grade 1 turf stakes. After racing towards the rear of the field under Chantal Sutherland, she mounted a wide bid to end up fifth, beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

Trainer Gerard Butler said an earlier move might have gotten Pachattack a higher placing in the 1 1/4-mile Taylor.

“It was a tough field, but I do feel that we had more to give,” said Butler. “She came home very strongly, and if she had gone a bit earlier, then she probably could have been third or fourth. She wouldn’t have won or been second, but third was up for grabs.”

Butler said he thinks that Pachattack is better on synthetic surfaces than the grass, as evidenced by her superb showing against males in an April 30 handicap at Lingfield, which was won by Kings Destiny.

“I firmly believe that she’s very effective on the all-weather,” Butler explained. “One of her best ever runs was this year at a mile and a quarter on the all-weather in England. She was third to Kings Destiny. That form was very strong.”

The 11-horse field also includes Tasty Temptation, the long-winded Happy Clapper, and the American shippers Haka, Deputy Darling, and Satans Quick Chick.