Meadow Rose poised to get over hump in optional claimer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The win-shy Meadow Rose has been trying to clear the second allowance condition all year, and the Stronach Stables runner could break through in the featured optional claimer Friday at Woodbine.

Meadow Rose began her 2017 campaign with a neck loss on dirt at Gulfstream in January. She subsequently ran fourth and second there in two more one-turn miles.

Following a break, Meadow Rose was a prominent second here June 9 to Gamble’s Ghost, who subsequently won the Belle Mahone and Grade 3 Maple Leaf stakes. She stepped out of second-level optional-claiming company to pick up some valuable black type July 22, when she dead-heated for third in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron.

Meadow Rose was favored in each of her last two outings, but settled for second on each occasion. The sharp winner of her last race, Giada Vegas, came right back to land a third-level optional claimer.

The headliner is the eighth of nine races on the third-last day of the meet. A first-level optional claimer for 2-year-old fillies goes as the seventh, which is headed by Without a Doubt and Closer Still.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Meadow Rose, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 73-76-78

◗ In an eight-horse field with ample speed, her closing style fits the race shape nicely.

◗ Trainer Nick Gonzalez sent her out to work five-eighths twice since her last outing, including in 1:00.60 on Nov. 30.

◗ Emma-Jayne Wilson will ride her again.

Way to Versailles, by Tizway

Last 3 Beyers: 74-79-84

◗ The stretching-out sprinter is the speed of the speed if jockey Eurico Da Silva lets her roll early.

◗ She’s bred go short on the dam’s side, but the average winning distance of her sire’s progeny is 7.1 furlongs.

Lilly’s Goldie, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 76-eased-58

◗ Luis Conteras inherits the mount on the Gonzalez charge, who has run erratically this year.

◗ She dropped to $32,000 following a layoff Oct. 27, when she finished a lapped-on third behind Casablanca Kiss, who came back to beat $40,000 claimers.

Mozambique Gold, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 76-76-63

◗ She captured her last two races going 1 1/16 miles in front-running style, most recently against $25,000 opposition.

◗ The pace scenario figures to be more taxing than what she’s used to, and she could be relegated to a stalking position.

Dawnmino, by U S Ranger

Last 3 Beyers: 76-67-60

◗ She improved significantly two weeks ago when taking a six-furlong allowance in her first try for trainer Norm McKnight, who has excellent numbers in the second start off a claim.