Minks Aprise fresh for Ontario Matron

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Minks Aprise defied the skeptics when she captured the Trillium Stakes on short rest. She’s had five weeks off heading into Saturday’s $125,000 Ontario Matron and should be favored to double up in the Grade 3 stakes at Woodbine.

Following a winter layoff June 4, Minks Aprise awaited room before closing for second in her first start for trainer Roger Attfield in the Hendrie Stakes, a Grade 3 sprint. Two weeks later, she won the 1 1/16-mile Trillium after closing four wide under Rafael Hernandez.

Minks Aprise gave Attfield no signs that the quick turnaround would pose a problem in the Trillium.

“Coming off a long layoff, she ran such a good race and came out of it very well,” Attfield said. “The ownership and syndicate manager, we talked about it, and we were a little concerned coming back in two weeks, but she trained so well and was sort of saying it was okay. The race we were looking at next was the [Matron], which was another five weeks away, so we decided to give her a go. She ran beautifully with no pace to run at. It was really pleasing.”

Attfield also entered Midnight Crossing in the 1 1/16-mile event, which goes as race 8 on a terrific 10-race program.

:: Saratoga Clocker Report: Get in-depth workout analysis for the 2017 summer meet

KEY CONTENDERS

Minks Aprise, by Northern Afleet
Last 3 Beyers: 85-87-85

◗ The 5-year-old has performed well for whoever has trained her. She was a minor stakes winner early in her career for Jerry Hollendorfer and ran some strong races last year for another legendary trainer, Michael Dickinson, including a neck loss in the Grade 2 Bessarabian.

Ice Festival, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-81

◗ Last year’s Grade 3 Maple Leaf winner was a prominent second in the Trillium. The Stronach Stable homebred could be poised to peak in the third race of her form cycle.

Rattataptap, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-78

◗ The Bill Mott-trained shipper is coming off a troubled fifth in the $50,000 Ellis Park Turf.

Uchenna, by Fastnet Rock
Last 3 Beyers: 87-82-81

◗ The 6-year-old has scored just once in 13 starts since taking the 2015 Ontario Matron, winning the 2016 Belle Mahone Stakes by daylight.

Midnight Crossing, by Dark Angel
Last 3 Beyers: 75-82-73

◗ After landing a first-level allowance in her local debut May 14, the European import inherited the lead before fading to seventh in the Trillium.

Ami’s Mesa, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 88-65-80

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old won a seven-furlong optional claimer convincingly June 30 off a 6 1/2-month absence. She is suspect around two turns.