Last race points out Seeking the Bay

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Seeking the Bay won his second race of the Woodbine meet last out in allowance company, an achievement that makes him a contender in the featured $25,000 starter allowance for 3-year-olds and up going a 1 1/16 miles Friday.

Seeking the Bay won a $40,000 conditioned claimer here coming off the bench May 1, and three weeks later finished second to a sharp My Name Is Michael in a $25,000 starter allowance.

After a dull turf experiment in June, Seeking the Bay competed in a series of first-level allowance routes on the Tapeta. He had a very wide trip while closing for third in his penultimate race and then won going nine furlongs after a three-wide stalking trip Oct. 9.

Seeking the Bay is owned and trained by Larry Cappuccitti, and Luis Contreras will ride for the fourth time in a row.

Friday’s nine-race card has one scheduled turf race, a $40,000 sprint that lured 14 older runners, including Ted W, who will run only if the race is switched to Tapeta.

KEY CONTENDERS

Seeking the Bay, by Seeking the Dia

Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-80

◗ The 40-day gap from his last race to this one should have him fresh and on his toes.

◗ Last Friday, he worked five-eighths on the training track in 1:01, which was the second-quickest of nine moves at the distance.

Niigon’s Glory, by Niigon

Last 3 Beyers: 84-82-85

◗ He possesses most of the highest recent Beyers in the field, but is winless since notching a victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance in his season opener May 1. He was third versus $40,000 claimers in his last two outings, most recently behind the classy veterans Patrioticandproud and Ultimate Destiny.

Danger Bay, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 80-83-86

◗ The nine-time winner wilted after failing to attain his preferred position up front in his last two races, both against tougher.

◗ He has worked fast leading up to this engagement, and the sprinter Midnite Poppa might try to run him into the ground if they both go for the lead.

Thatlookonyerface, by Summer Bird

Last 3 Beyers: 73-76-79

◗ He was beaten in double digits in his last two races, including on a speed-favoring surface in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby.

◗ Trainer Dave Cotey won a race early in the meet with Sunny Singh, who will ride the 3-year-old for the first time.

Badjeros Boy, by Singing Saint

Last 3 Beyers: 77-82-78

◗ The versatile bay came from left field to land a one-mile allowance two starts ago on the grass.

◗ Rafael Hernandez inherits the mount on him from the hot David Moran, who’s sticking with Niigon’s Glory.