Juvenile champ Admiralty Pier returns to home turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Reigning Canadian champion male 2-year-old Admiralty Pier returns to Woodbine in a cozy spot Friday, a $74,500 allowance with no conditions at seven furlongs on the grass.

Trained by Barb Minshall, Admiralty Pier won 2 of 5 starts last year. After romping at first asking in a turf sprint for maidens Aug. 6, he finished a close third behind Untamed Domain and Hemp Hemp Hurray in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes here.

Admiralty Pier went on to finish fourth behind Flameaway in the Grade 3 Bourbon in the slop in October at Keeneland. He shipped back home to lose a nail-biter to Sable Island in a Nov. 11 allowance on the Tapeta and then took the 1 1/16-mile Display Stakes on Tapeta on Dec. 2.

Off a four-month vacation, Admiralty Pier wound up third behind the brilliant Analyze It in the Grade 3 Transylvania on April 6 at Keeneland. Runner-up Captivating Moon exited to be second in the Grade 2 American Turf at Churchill Downs.

Most recently, Admiralty Pier ran his first clunker, fading to 10th after pressing the pace from a three-wide position over yielding turf in the May 5 American Turf.

The feature is a terrific race and goes as the sixth on an eight-race card that has three other turf events.

KEY CONTENDERS

Admiralty Pier, by English Channel

Last 3 Beyers: 74-88-82

◗ Luis Contreras, who was aboard for both of his triumphs, has the mount.

◗ The gelding has been working quickly, including a five-furlong breeze in 59.80 seconds on the training track last Friday.

Sable Island, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 71-68-79

◗ He was very game when beating Admiralty Pier on Nov. 11 in his first start after an authoritative maiden victory. He got the winter off after coming up empty in the Display and was a prominent third when coming off the bench in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes on April 22.

◗ This is his turf debut, and he’s by a superb turf sire. This course has been aiding speed, which should give him an edge under the aggressive Eurico Da Silva.

Ride a Comet, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 62-80-78

◗ He won an allowance on the Fair Grounds turf before a failed experiment on Turfway’s Polytrack in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks in March.

◗ He has worked nicely over the Tapeta leading up to his Woodbine bow and would appear to be Patrick Husbands’s choice over the other Mark Casse trainee in the field, Royal Creed.

Royal Creed, by Jimmy Creed

Last 3 Beyers: 74-77-63

◗ He won his last two outings in front-running style, including a six-furlong allowance on the Tapeta following a layoff May 13.