Legal Move aims for four straight

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Legal Move hasn't made many wrong moves of late, and will seek his third straight stakes victory Wednesday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Frost King, a seven-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds.

Legal Move was second or third in each of his first three outings over three different surfaces, all in maiden special company. He graduated easily in the Sept. 4 Simcoe Stakes, for graduates of local yearling sales, winning with a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

Legal Move trounced Ontario-sired opposition most recently in the Oct. 14 Bull Page Stakes, earning an 80 Beyer in the six-furlong dash.

Trainer Mark Casse said Legal Move took a few starts to put it all together, because he requires patient handling.

"He just doesn't like to be rushed," Casse said. "He got rushed off his feet the first couple times, going four-and-a-half [furlongs] and five-eighths [of a mile]. When you let him relax and come running, he runs much better."

Casse believes Legal Move is well suited to the conditions of the Frost King.

"He likes the Polytrack," Casse added. "I just hope it continues to stay good, like it did last week. I don't think seven-eighths will be a problem. He won the [Simcoe] going six and a half.

"He's a beautiful horse, well-balanced," Casse added. "He's not real big, but he's a good size. We bought him out of the non-select part of the sale for $45,000."

Legal Move has a realistic chance of being a Sovereign Award finalist for Canadian champion 2-year-old, along with the unbeaten duo of Leonnatus Anteas and Barilko.

"I don't think his accomplishments can be put in the same category as the other two," Casse said.

Dancer's Bajan could be the main threat in his second start off a layoff.

Dancer's Bajan was a fast-closing second to stablemate Spread the News when debuting in a June 24 maiden special. He beat Legal Move to win his maiden July 15, after which he went to the sidelines for three months.

"He had a minor baby problem, which we corrected," said trainer Bob Tiller. "He just needed a little rest. He was at the farm for about three weeks."

Dancer's Bajan rallied to finish four lengths back in second in the Bull Page, a race he probably needed for conditioning purposes. He figures to narrow the gap on Legal Move, while stretching out to a suitable distance.

Paige the General won his only start convincingly on the front end, receiving a 74 Beyer.

o The pick seven carryover is $43,388.