Midnight Miley makes title bid in Bessarabian

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Canadian champion female sprinter honors could be on the line Saturday at Woodbine, when the imposing Midnight Miley meets Southern Ring and River Maid in the $200,000 Bessarabian Stakes.

The speedy Midnight Miley should go favored in the seven-furlong event. She won the Grade 3 Ontario Matron going long in July and the Grade 3 Seaway over seven furlongs with a 97 Beyer Speed Figure on Aug. 27.

Midnight Miley has been idle since Sept. 17, when she went too fast in the Grade 2 Canadian, fading to sixth in the about-nine-furlong turf route. Trainer Julia Carey said she bypassed several spots with Midnight Miley while pointing to the Grade 2 Bessarabian.

“It’s a Grade 2, and she did win going seven-eighths,” Carey said. “She’s trained beautifully. She’s worked good towards the race. [Exercise rider Sergio Lezcano] was on her last time, and she never works good for him. He’s been a big part of her success. He’s done a wonderful job with her.”

The $125,000 Glorious Song Stakes, a seven-furlong test for 2-year-old fillies, is the supporting feature on Saturday’s 10-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Midnight Miley, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 88-97-96

◗ She’s a contender for the Sovereign Award as champion female sprinter and champion older female. Last year, Miss Mischief swept both awards on the strength of her victory in the Bessarabian.

Southern Ring, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 92-81-87

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old parlayed a perfect stalking trip into a three-quarter-length score over Cactus Kris when returning from a layoff Oct. 16 in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion.

◗ Her lone seven-furlong try was a fading fourth on turf in the restricted Zadracarta Stakes.

River Maid, by Where’s the Ring

Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-90

◗ She took the six-furlong Ballade Stakes for Ontario-sired runners in June and finished a lapped-on second against the boys in the restricted Kenora Stakes on Aug. 31. She closed belatedly for third at six furlongs in the fast-paced Ontario Fashion and might appreciate more ground to work with.

Regia Marina, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 80-90-83

◗ The Chicago invader dead-heated for third in the Seaway and has been sidelined since finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters on Sept. 19.

Glorious Song

The obvious protagonists in the Glorious Song are Just Be Kind and Let It Ride Mom, who ran one-two in the six-furlong Ontario Debutante Stakes in September.

Let It Ride Mom is turning back in distance off a head loss going 1 1/16 miles in the Grade 3 Mazarine. Just Be Kind weakened to sixth in that race after pressing the pace.

Dilly Dally Darby nearly upset the unbeaten Conquest Vivi when second in the six-furlong Victorian Queen Stakes last time out. A maiden, she shouldn’t mind the move out to seven-eighths, since her dam, My List, won the 2007 Bessarabian.