Miss Lola stretches out on grass

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Thursday racing returns to Woodbine with an eight-race card and a new 2 p.m. post time, which is an hour later than usual for afternoon programs.

Steve Koch, Woodbine's vice president of Thoroughbred racing, said the change was made in order to complete the Thursday programs during peak wagering hours.

"Handle increases as the race afternoon progresses," said Koch. "It is sensible then to begin the eight-race Thursday cards slightly later, in order to maximize the late afternoon handle opportunities. A historical Thursday racecard concludes about 4:30, and a 2 p.m. post time moves the eighth race to about 5:30, a more optimal racecard positioning."

Miss Lola should be a factor in Thursday's feature, a first-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies, that is scheduled for one mile on the grass.

Miss Lola debuted last October on the grass in a six-furlong maiden special, in which she got away slowly before rallying for fourth. She was softened up in a speed duel before fading to 10th in her only other 2-year-old outing at 1 1/16 miles.

After wintering at the Payson Park training center with trainer Gail Cox, Miss Lola graduated at 24-1 in a seven-furlong maiden special on the Polytrack on May 2. The runner-up, Between Raindrops, came back to win her next start.

David Clark will ride Miss Lola, who shouldn't mind the stretch-out to a mile in this spot.

Three Inthe Kitty made all four of her starts on the grass, winning her career debut at Tampa Bay Downs in December. She wound up sixth in each of her three subsequent races, including in a seven-furlong allowance here May 16.

Leading trainer Mark Casse sends out Exclusive Love and Noticin' You, who are both trying the turf for the first time.

Exclusive Love, like Miss Lola, is by the good turf sire Bernstein. Her dam was stakes-placed in Ireland, and she breezed five-eighths in 1:01.60 over the turf training course last week.

Exclusive Love won a tough maiden special Nov. 29 while earning a 75 Beyer Figure, but was a flat fifth in her season debut in a six-furlong allowance May 12.

Noticin' You is by the successful grass sire Mr. Greeley, and her dam was a stakes winner on the dirt. She finished second in the Shady Well Stakes at 2, and placed in both of her allowance outings this year, including one against older opposition.