Michele M. steps up off claim, big Beyer romp
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Michele M. was certainly popular in the claiming box when romping in the opener on Woodbine Mile Day. She jumps up in class in Thursday’s featured allowance that has a $32,000 claiming option, with a big Beyer Speed Figure on her résumé and a chance to double up.
Michele M. had started three times on turf for trainer Christophe Clement this year, culminating with a closing second in an about five-furlong allowance on Aug. 24 at Delaware Park.
Michele M. had notched her debut at 2 over the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs, which was probably one of the reasons why Clement opted to ship her here for a sprint for $25,000 claimers on Sept. 16. Sent off at even money, she went straight to the lead and never looked back to prevail by eight lengths with an 86 Beyer. There were seven claims in for her, and owner Michael Bellissimo got her with Willy Armata as the trainer.
“We were very lucky to win the shake for her,” Armata said. “She won pretty easy, but what she beat, it wasn’t the greatest [field]. I was thinking of running for $40,000 non-three, but I wanted to give her a shot in the allowance. It didn’t really come up that tough. We’re happy with her. She’s been doing everything well.”
Armata lured the hot apprentice Sofia Vives to get as much weight as possible off Michele M., who is slated to carry 115 pounds from post 7.
“I’m getting in a little bit lighter with her being a 3-year-old, and I’m taking advantage of another five pounds” off with Vives, Armata said.
Going back five years, Armata has won at a 12-percent rate off the claim, with a positive return on investment of $2.19.
Among the others in the eight-horse lineup are Spider Belle, Pioneer’s Edge, and Souper Flashy.
Spider Belle raced wide throughout after missing the break en route to ending up fourth in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on Aug. 12, when she was promoted to third by disqualification. That was her debut off a $25,000 claim by trainer Mike Dunslow, who has scored at an excellent 29-percent clip second time off a claim during the past five years, with an ROI of $3.66.
Pioneer’s Edge is surprisingly winless in seven starts since she nearly upset Moira in the Fury Stakes in June 2022. The well-bred daughter of Pioneerof the Nile is shortening up and changing surfaces from the main turf to the Tapeta following a three-month absence but has been working right along.
Souper Flashy was competitive in a series of restricted stakes last year at 3. She outlasted nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance types in her season debut, but was a beaten favorite in each of her last two outings at this level.
Completing the sixth-race field are Now Is a Breeze, My Sunny Valentine, English Shirl, and Jab.
Post time for the nine-race card is 4:40 p.m.
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