Jolie Olimpica, relocated because she needs Lasix, makes local debut in Nassau

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – That Lasix is allowed in most stakes at Woodbine is a godsend for the former California stalwart Jolie Olimpica, who makes her first start for trainer Josie Carroll in Saturday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Nassau Stakes.

Jolie Olimpica, a 5-year-old Brazilian import, made the board in all six of her North American starts in turf stakes for trainer Richard Mandella. She won two graded sprints at Santa Anita, and was second in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley last July at Keeneland. She was sent to Carroll after ending up third against males in the Grade 3 San Simeon at Santa Anita in March.

Horses cannot race on Lasix in open stakes in California, and Mandella told Daily Racing Form in early April that Jolie Olimpica had bled in a race, necessitating her relocation.

Another Time, who lost a heartbreaker in last year’s one-mile Nassau, also is in the 12-horse field of fillies and mares.

Another Time won the allowance prep for the 2020 Nassau, before dropping a neck decision after leading the way in the Nassau. She won a 7 1/2-furlong allowance on the inner course in her June 12 season opener, while beating next-out allowance winner Fiduciary.

“It was a tough beat last year,” trainer Barbara Minshall said. “I’ve been aiming her for this race for a long time. She’s doing good. She had a nice spot to come back in, to get a nice easy race for her before this one.”

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Minshall said Another Time’s tactical speed is one of her most effective weapons.

“The jock can pretty much put her wherever she wants,” Minshall said. “If she wants to come from a little off it, she can. If no one wants the lead, she can be there. She’s a jockey’s dream to ride.”

Trainer Mark Casse entered Crystal Glacier, Our Secret Agent, and Tappitty Tappitty.

Crystal Glacier, a 4-year-old Curlin filly, is unplaced in four grass starts. She ran the race of her life last time in her stakes debut on the Tapeta in the Grade 3 Trillium, in which she surged late from a stalking position to lose by a nose to another Live Oak runner, Souper Escape.

“I thought she got up,” Casse said. “She ran really well. Most of the Curlins get better as they get older, and she’s definitely getting better. The Curlins just want more ground.”

Irish-bred Honey Cake is making her North American debut and first start for trainer Jonathan Thomas. An allowance winner on the grass in France, she will be ridden by Antonio Gallardo in his first week of riding full time at Woodbine.

Merveilleux was a flat fifth in the Trillium in her first appearance in seven months. She captured two restricted stakes here last year, the Wonder Where and Ontario Damsel.