Looking to end string of seconds

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Choreography will try to put an end to his string of seconds in the $133,000 Shepperton Stakes at Woodbine Saturday.

The 6 1/2-furlong dash is one of two Ontario sire stakes on Saturday's card, along with the $133,250 Victoriana, a 1 1/16-mile turf event for fillies and mares.

Choreography, a 4-year-old trained by Canadian Hall of Famer Jerry Meyer, has a win and seven seconds from 12 starts this year. That victory came for trainer Mike Miceli in an entry-level allowance at Aqueduct in March.

Choreography was reunited with Meyer here in the spring, and has filled the runner-up position in seven of his last eight races, including two Ontario sire stakes. He looked like he was going to land his first stakes win on July 21 in the seven-furlong Overskate, but was overhauled in the final strides by Barath after opening up a clear lead in midstretch.

Choreography ran another good race going six furlongs in an $80,000 optional claimer Aug. 2. With regular rider Ray Sabourin aboard, he pressed the pace along the rail and ended up second while receiving his third straight Beyer Speed Figure in the low 90's.

Meyer described Choreography as a quirky gelding who can be hard to handle. He said it is easier to run him on a regular basis, as opposed to working him in between starts that are more spaced out.

"He doesn't always apply himself," said Meyer, regarding Choreography's morning regimen.

Meyer predicted that Choreography will bring his "A" game on Saturday. "He'll be competitive," Meyer said. "They're going to have to run to beat him."

Barath, based at Philadelphia Park with trainer Guadalupe Preciado, rallied from seven lengths back over a speed-favoring track to win his first stakes in the Overskate. He ran for as little as $7,500 claiming in 2003, and has won seven of 12 starts since Preciado began training him last fall.

Barath breezed a half-mile in 47 seconds at Philly Park on Monday. "He went the first three-eighths in 34," Preciado said. "Right now, he's very happy."