Miss Forester gets stamina test in Ontario Lassie
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Will Miss Forester stretch out? That is one of the questions handicappers must ponder regarding Saturday’s $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile test for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.
Miss Forester is 2 for 2, having won both of her starts in Ontario-sired company over six furlongs for trainer Ralph Biamonte. She came from third to land her debut over a modest group Oct. 11 and then benefited from an inside bias while leading throughout a Nov. 6 allowance under Eurico Da Silva.
Miss Forester is a daughter of the speed sire Old Forester. Her second dam is the Canadian champion sprinter Blonde Executive.
“Eurico thought that she’ll probably go long, so we’re going to take a chance,” Biamonte said. “The family is mostly sprinters.”
The supporting feature on the final Saturday program of the meet is the $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile route for Ontario-sired juveniles.
KEY CONTENDERS
Miss Forester (Beyers: 65-57)
◗ Biamonte is known as a speed trainer, but his first-time routers have been very effective, winning at a 26 percent clip over the past five years, with a return on investment of $3.10.
Garavogue Colleen (Beyers: 65-72-61)
◗ After graduating at first asking over 1 1/16 miles, the daughter of Sligo Bay was a wide third in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes before finishing a flat fourth in the restricted Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Sparkles’ Girl (Last 3 Beyers: 63-68-49)
◗ She raced three wide against the bias when second to entrymate Miss Forester on Nov. 6, which came after a third-place finish in the six-furlong Victorian Queen Stakes. She is by the hot freshman sire Society’s Chairman, the sire of Princess Elizabeth winner Caren.
Perfect Ella (Last 3 Beyers: 57-55-59)
◗ Biamonte supplemented her off a fourth in the South Ocean, an Ontario-sired stakes Nov. 14 going 1 1/16 miles.
“She ran a good race last time,” Biamonte said. “She got into a bit of trouble and only got beat two lengths. She seems to get into a little trouble every time. She still has to mature.”
Showdown in Kingarvie Stakes
This race looks to be a showdown between two unbeaten entrants, Amis Gizmo and Aye Aye Captain, who both are going long for the first time. Amis Gizmo won a trio of restricted stakes for owner Ivan Dalos and trainer Josie Carroll. They campaigned two other juvenile stakes winners this year, Gamble’s Ghost and Ami’s Mesa.
Aye Aye Captain defeated Ontario-sired maidens and allowance types in two seven-furlong starts for trainer Catherine Day Phillips.