Jovial Jill gets boost from Lasix
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Ian Black got off to a slow start at Woodbine's meet, but he caught fire during the past month and looks to have a live contender with Jovial Jill in Thursday's third race, an Ontario-sired first-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs.
Jovial Jill did not make her career debut until last Dec. 9, when she was bet down to 4-1 in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint. She put away a rival on the early lead that day, and kept on going to score easily, earning a modest 62 Beyer Speed Figure.
After getting the winter off, Jovial Jill wound up third in a five-furlong allowance April 11. The first two finishers, Natural Mystic and Miss Juicey, both came back to prevail in restricted allowance company.
Most recently in a seven-furlong allowance, Jovial Jill battled up front along the inside before fading to fourth behind victorious Nicki Knew, who returned to finish second in the Lady Angela Stakes.
Black has posted solid numbers when adding Lasix, and Jovial Jill makes her first start on the diuretic Thursday.
Serena's Rose ran second in back-to-back maiden races in April. The favorite in a seven-furlong Ontario-sired race May 21, she set soft fractions and cruised to an 8 1/4-length-length victory, receiving a 77 Beyer.
Apprentice Matt Moore will ride Serena's Rose for trainer Debbie England.
Danzathrutheknight defeated $32,000 maiden claimers two starts ago. She was a non-threatening fourth in her first try at this level. The runner-up that day, Dancing Doris, returned to capture an allowance on turf.
Planet Red finished a fading sixth behind Dancing Doris and Danzathrutheknight on May 17, her first lackluster effort since her debut at 2.
Bold Anna had been idle for eight months before she wound up fifth in that same race. She defeated $50,000 maiden claimers last August, the only time she has hit the board in six outings.
Tarez could lead the way in her first attempt beyond 5 1/2 furlongs, the distance of her maiden victory.
How Soon Is Now was ridden by Moore when she won her debut with an eye-catching wide rally in a $32,000 maiden claimer on May 18.