Majestic Slew switches to turf for optional-claiming sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Majestic Slew will look to transfer his strong 2017 form to the turf in Sunday’s feature at Woodbine, an $80,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds and up over six furlongs.

Majestic Slew has won four of his five starts at this meet, including a victory in his most recent start July 23, when he rallied from off the pace to win a six-furlong sprint on the Tapeta main track by 3 1/4 lengths. The 93 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is a lifetime best.

Majestic Slew made one start on turf last season, setting the pace and finishing fourth in a six-furlong allowance sprint. Progeny of his sire, Majestic Warrior, have an 8 percent strike rate from 213 starts in turf sprints over the last five years, according to DRF Formulator.

Key Contenders

Majestic Slew, by Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 93-77-82

◗ Four of Majestic Slew’s six wins have come at the six-furlong distance, including three wins this year.

◗ Rafael Hernandez retains the mount and has won with three of his last five mounts for trainer Mike De Paulo.

Conquest Tsunami, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 95-78-92

◗ He’ll make his first start since the meet’s opening day on April 15, when he finished fifth after setting the pace in the Jacques Cartier Stakes.

◗ He won going seven furlongs on the Woodbine turf as a 2-year-old in 2014 and had two narrow defeats in turf sprints here last season, losing by a head and a nose.

San Nicola Thunder, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 98-89-91

◗ In his most recent start Aug. 12, he ran second to Pink Lloyd in the Shepperton Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. Pink Lloyd came back to win the Kenora Stakes with a 94 Beyer on Wednesday.

◗ San Nicola Thunder has won a pair of turf sprints this year over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Constantino, by Master Command
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-76

◗ His only start on grass came in October 2014, when he was last of 11 in a seven-furlong sprint.

◗ He won in his second start off the claim for trainer Norm McKnight in his most recent start July 15, sweeping past the field of $40,000 claimers to win by two lengths.