Koonunga Hill shortening up

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes winner Koonunga Hill will try to end a drought Wednesday night at Woodbine in the sixth race, a five-furlong Ontario-sired allowance for nonwinners of three.

Koonunga Hill, a 3-year-old trained by Steve Owens, is winless since her victory in the Ice Water Stakes on the grass in August of 2008. She has been campaigned primarily in stakes since then, running hot and cold.

Koonunga Hill finished a close second to one of her Wednesday rivals, Sans Sousi, May 23 in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes. She subsequently finished up the track in the Woodbine Oaks, and was a fading fifth after that in the seven-furlong Passing Mood Stakes.

Koonunga Hill dueled up front with several others en route to running second to Anne's Purse in the Aug. 16 Rainbow Connection Stakes on the grass at Fort Erie. She flashed her customary speed in her two most recent excursions, runing fifth in the La Prevoyante and ninth most recently in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance.

Shortening up to five furlongs, the distance of the Rainbow Connection, might be just what the doctor ordered for Koonunga Hill, who will be ridden by Emma Wilson.

Sans Sousi took the restricted Lady Angela in her third start off the sidelines, and then wound up second behind Anne's Purse in a quick allowance. She was disqualified from purse money after getting home on top in a Sept. 2 turf allowance because of a whip infraction.

Sans Sousi tired to second after surrendering a clear lead in the stretch in her next-to-last outing, and was a wide, closing third most recently in another Ontario-sired allowance.

Chantal Sutherland, Woodbine's hottest rider, will ride Sans Sousi for trainer Mike Doyle, who won Sunday's Fanfreluche Stakes with Bodua.

Minkredible had a three-race spring campaign, during which she landed a five-furlong allowance and ran third in the Lady Angela.

Following a three-month layoff Sept. 2, Minkredible finished a tired seventh after setting the pace in six-furlong allowance on the grass.

Blue Blood Wildcat has been idle since a fifth-place finish in her initial attempt at this level June 20. She earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 70 for wiring a nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance race June 3.

Miss Terra chased Sans Sousi home while failing to make an impact in each of her last two starts.

Rounding out the field are outsiders Reel Tipsy and Graceful Gracie.