Magical Factor moves back to turf after King's Plate dud
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Off a disappointing run in the $1 million King’s Plate, Magical Factor goes back to the grass in Friday’s featured first-level allowance with a $32,000 claiming option at Woodbine.
Owned and bred by Chiefswood Stables, Magical Factor looked like he could be any kind when graduating third time out in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special on the Keeneland turf in April, for which he got a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.
Magical Factor subsequently joined the King’s Plate trail. He nearly won the Grade 3 Marine in late June, during which he appeared headed for victory after cruising to the lead in the stretch before Brachetto came flying late to beat him a half-length.
In front of a large crowd in the 1 1/4-mile King’s Plate on Aug. 15, Magical Factor tracked a fast pace from a three-wide position over an inside-biased track before fading on the far turn. He got a little worked up pre-race, which has been his Achilles’ heel, and checked in 11th of 12.
“He’s got the talent – it’s just his mind,” Chiefswood general manager Robert Landry said. “When he comes to the paddock, he can be a little bullish and hot.”
Jose Campos will ride Magical Factor again for trainer Rachel Halden. They are a combined 4 for 16 at the meet.
The 7 1/2-furlong inner turf event lured five others, including First Empire, Countryboysurvive, and Ever Dangerous.
First Empire competed in graded stakes in fall 2024 before heading to the sidelines for more than 1 1/2 years. He met tougher conditioned allowance opposition in three starts this year, finishing third after leading the way in his comeback before tailing off.
Romero Maragh retains the mount on the Mark Casse-trained First Empire, who races for the $32,000 claiming price.
Countryboysurvive just missed taking a $25,000 claiming nonwinners-of-three inner turf route on June 13 and has since scored twice on Tapeta. He closed stoutly to beat $25,000 conditioned claimers when sprinting two back and then doubled up for $25,000 on the stretch-out to 1 1/16 miles.
Fraser Aebly has the call on Countryboysurvive again. Currently second in the jockey standings, Aebly is an impressive 10 for 27 at the meet for the gelding’s trainer, Sid Attard.
The venerable 9-year-old Ever Dangerous is moving up off yet another claim, off a third-place finish behind Countryboysurvive. The eight-time winner hasn’t raced on turf since March, when he finished second for $30,000 at Fair Grounds. Rafael Hernandez was aboard for his last win here May 9 and will get a leg up from trainer Edgar Mendoza.
The speedy Catch the Ace is making his turf debut off a fading third in a nonwinners-of-two allowance on Tapeta. By the 13 percent grass sire Astern, Catch the Ace is a half-brother to the restricted turf stakes winner Taquanyah. The blinkers are removed by trainer Barbara Minshall, who won at a 6 percent clip with first-time turf runners over the past five years.
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