Look for Mythical Mission to finish strong in Ontario Colleen

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Mythical Mission will cut back in distance in search of her first stakes score in Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Ontario Colleen Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over one mile on the Woodbine turf.

After recording back-to-back victories to begin her career last season, Mythical Mission has been second or third in five consecutive stakes starts. She ran in each leg of the triple tiara series for 3-year-old fillies, finishing second in the Woodbine Oaks and Bison City Stakes on Tapeta and third in Wonder Where Stakes over 1 1/4-miles on turf in her most recent start July 30.

Trainer Malcolm Pierce said Mythical Mission was given a small break to freshen up following the Wonder Where.

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Pierce said he thinks the Ontario Colleen distance is a little short for Mythical Mission but added that a change in tactics could help her return to winning form. Mythical Mission chased pacesetter Enstone in the Bison City and Wonder Where. But her best races have come when she sat back and made one run.

“I think the last couple of races we’ve kind of taken her out of her element,” he said. “We’ve worried about Enstone and not letting her get too far in front of us. In this race, I’m hoping she’ll just lay back and run like she did last year as a 2-year old. We’re just going to let her be where she wants to be and hopefully she comes with a big run.”

Key Contenders

Mythical Mission, by Giant’s Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-93

◗ With regular rider Eurico Da Silva participating in a jockey challenge in Japan this weekend, Emma-Jayne Wilson will take over in the saddle in the Ontario Colleen. According to DRF Formulator, Wilson and Pierce have combined for a 19 percent strike rate from 26 starts over the past five years, with a return on investment of $2.29.

Grizzel, by Kodiac

Last 3 Beyers: 83-86-88

◗ She’s one of three fillies in the field cutting back to a mile after running 1 1/4 miles in her last start, which came in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational. She stalked the pace and held the lead late in the Belmont Oaks, but couldn’t hold off the closers and settled for fifth.

Enstone, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-83

◗ She’s run on an easy lead in her last two starts, a win in the Bison City Stakes and a runner-up finish in the Wonder Where Stakes. She figures to have more speed to deal with in this spot, but she should have a say in the late going.

Victory to Victory, by Exchange Rate

Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-84

◗ Her last visit to Woodbine resulted in a fifth-place finish as the heavy favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Alywow Stakes on turf June 11. In her subsequent start, she was eighth in the Grade 3 Lake George Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga.

◗ She captured the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes at a one-turn mile here last September as a juvenile.