Longer appears better for Bonanza

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Bonanza should be prominent with the stretchout to 1 1/16 miles in Wednesday's Woodbine headliner, a first-level allowance for 2-year-olds.

Bonanza won his maiden second time out as a 24-1 longshot, when trainer Mark Casse added blinkers to his equipment Sept 21. He then finished third in fast allowance won by Shilla, who returned to win the Fanfreluche Stakes.

Last time out in another seven-furlong allowance, Bonanza broke slowly before encountering traffic problems on the far turn. After getting bumped in the stretch, he rallied to finish fourth and was elevated to third by the disqualification of Notgivinmyloveawy, who came back to win the restricted Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes at Philadelphia Park on Saturday.

Bonanza, a son of Jump Start, is out of Northlands Oaks winner Explore the Gold, who won stakes going short and long in Alberta.

Esson Lake, the lone filly in Wednesday's nine-horse field, rallied from left field to win her maiden in her first route try Oct. 27. Two runners exiting that race have graduated - Miss Yankee and Roses 'n' Wine.

Hot as Ice figures to lead the way in his debut off the $47,500 claim by trainer Mike DePaulo. Most recently, he was a front-running third behind Urn, who is also in this field.

Urn has won two seven-furlong sprints in a row, including one against $32,000 maidens.

Bent Attorney should be favored in Wednesday's third race, a second-level Ontario-sired allowance. A 3-year-old trained by Mike Doyle, Bent Attorney romped home on top by six lengths in her only 2-year-old start against $50,000 maidens. After a 10-month layoff, she ran second in her season opener in an $80,000 claimer.

Two weeks after that, Bent Attorney ran the only poor race of her career, beaten double-digit lengths in $80,000 company.

Bent Attorney was idle for most of the summer, and she won an Ontario-sired allowance on the grass when she came off the sidelines Sept. 8. She has hit the board in each of her three starts since, all at Thursday's level.

In her last start, Bent Attorney showed more speed than usual and disposed of two rivals on the lead before weakening to second.

Other contenders in race are Birsay, Dream Lover and Clearly in Charge.