Maker has Mining for Silver going good

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mining for Silver ran the race of his life last time out on the grass at Indiana Downs, capturing a starter allowance by 10 1/4 lengths on May 7. A repeat of that effort would put him in the driver's seat in Wednesday's seventh race at Woodbine, a $62,500 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack.

Mining for Silver was claimed from a fourth-place finish for $25,000 April 12 by trainer Rebecca Maker, who's an impressive 5 for 14 (36 percent) second time off the claim over the past five years. Judging by the Indiana Downs performance, she looks to have Mining for Silver's hole card, and another strong showing could be forthcoming.

Mining for Silver has a record of 3-2-2 in 12 starts over synthetic surfaces, which includes several in-the-money placings here last fall. Patrick Husbands will ride the 6-year-old, who breezed a half-mile in 52 seconds last Friday over Arlington's new Polytrack.

Among the other contenders in Wednesday's headliner are Carrington, Mike Fox, Crackenthorpe, Colorful Judgement, and Molinaro Beau.

Carrington kicked off his 2007 campaign with a victory in an optional claimer at Philadelphia Park in January. Following a layoff, he finished third here in back-to-back 6 1/2-furlong starts, including a tough $62,500 contest won by future stakes winner Like Mom Like Sons.

Carrington has won 5 of 10 starts at 1o1/16 miles, which includes a victory over $40,000 stock here on the Polytrack in October. Apprentice Michelle Rainford, who scored twice last Wednesday, will ride Carrington for trainer Scott Fairlie.

Mike Fox, a blue-blooded 3-year-old by Giant's Causeway, is eligible to the Juneo24 Queen's Plate. He encountered some traffic early in the stretch before ending up seventh in the May 5 Queenston Stakes.

Mike Fox is coupled in an Ian Black-trained entry with Thinking Out Loud, who is winless since his upset tally in the 2005 Coronation Futurity.

Crackenthorpe's tactical speed could come in handy in his third start off the shelf. He wound up second after a stalking journey when facing $62,500 rivals May 6.

Colorful Judgement checked in third in that same May 6 route, which was his seasonal debut. He had a productive 2006 campaign, which included a victory in a minor turf stakes in his first try off the $60,000 claim by trainer Alec Fehr.

Colorful Judgement is coupled with Tall Cool One, a solid middle claimer who seems overmatched.

Molinaro Beau has won 3 of 5 outings since joining trainer Vito Armata's barn last fall.