Lokinforpursemonee stretches out in Kingarvie Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Lokinforpursemonee will stretch out around two turns for the first time in search of his third career stakes win in Sunday’s $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Lokinforpursemonee had to wait for running room in deep stretch in the Simcoe Stakes on Aug. 31 but was able to split horses late and prevail by a neck under jockey Gary Boulanger.

“That race in particular was a little bit nerve-wracking,” trainer John Ross said. “He took back and then got caught in the middle. He went all over the place. You can just do anything with him. The horse just wants to win.”

Ross said Lokinforpursemonee has been training well ahead of the Kingarvie. He breezed five furlongs in 1:02.20 on the turf training track here Sept. 16. Ross said he worked the horse on turf because he was considering entering Lokinforpursemonee in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes last Sunday and is targeting turf stakes later in the season.

“I did do a turf work because I had intentions, not only for the Summer Stakes, but for the Cup and Saucer down the road for Canadian-breds,” he said. “He’s been training well, and I’m very happy with the way he’s coming into this.”

Kingarvie Stakes, Race 8

Key Contenders

Lokinforpursemonee, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 60-68-53

◗ Ross said he had no concerns about Lokinforpursemonee’s ability to handle the added distance.

“It’s his first time going two turns, so it’s the perfect time to try him against Ontario-sired horses first,” he said. “It’s a great steppingstone to see how he handles the mile and a sixteenth, and I think he’ll handle it very well.”

Pachi Cruze, by Valid N Bold

Last 3 Beyers: 59-41-54

◗ He defeated Lokinforpursemonee by a head in the Frost King Stakes on June 26 but suffered a neck defeat in the Simcoe after leading late in the race. Leading rider Eurico Da Silva retains the mount.

Blue Without You, by Giant Gizmo

Last 3 Beyers: 58-61-13

◗ He was third in the Simcoe and should be forwardly place on the stretch-out.

◗ He won his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths with a 61 Beyer Speed Figure over seven furlongs on Tapeta on Aug. 7.

Totally Unexpected, by Silent Name

Last 2 Beyers: 57-36

◗ He’s one of two maidens in the field but was a close fourth in the Simcoe Stakes in his most recent start.

Classy ‘n Smart Stakes, Race 6

Earlier on the card, Hot Kiss will look to rebound off a troubled trip when she faces six other Ontario-sired fillies and mares in the $125,000 Classy ‘n Smart Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.

Hot Kiss was boxed in at the top of the stretch in the Belle Mahone Stakes on Sept. 5 while Uchenna swept by the field along the outside to win. Hot Kiss is two starts removed from a five-race win streak on the main track and could get back to the winner’s circle Sunday.

The top four finishers from the Algoma Stakes on Aug. 31 could be the main threats to Hot Kiss. Sweater Weather and Galina Point, who ran first and second in the Algoma, were second and third behind Hot Kiss in the Trillium Stakes on June 19.

Trini Brewnette has run well in her last two starts on Tapeta, finishing second to Caren in the Bison City Stakes on July 10 before running third in the Algoma. Obeah Woman won an allowance Aug. 13 but faded to fourth in the Algoma after being on the lead.

Rounding out the field are Eternal Search Stakes winner Generous Touch and Ontario Lassie Stakes winner Sparkles’ Girl.