Mobil has two options for plunge to softer spot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There aren't many bigger class drops than going from a Grade 1 event to a stakes for graduates of local yearling sales, which is what Mobil will do Sunday at Woodbine.

Mobil was entered in both the $128,750 Halton on turf and the $134,125 Elgin on dirt, which are two of six yearling sales stakes on the 11-race card. According to trainer Mike Keogh, Mobil will likely run in the nine-furlong Halton, a race he won last year in a canter.

"I cross-entered him, just in case we got bad weather and the turf course came up soft," Keogh explained. "He has won in the slop before, as a 2-year-old."

Mobil was recently ninth after a four-wide journey in the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

"It was too tough of a spot for him," Keogh said. "It wasn't my wish to go there."

Todd Kabel was Mobil's regular rider until the 4-year-old finished second to the Kabel-ridden Shoal Water in the Grade 2 Chinese Cultural Centre Stakes on July 25. He will be reunited with Mobil on Sunday.

"He's developed into a really nice older horse," Kabel said. "He's gotten stronger with age. He's come a long way from last year."

Anglian Prince and Crosspoint were also cross-entered in the Halton and Elgin.

New Jersey-based Cool N Collective, a regular participant in the 1 1/16-mile Elgin, is back for another go.

Cool N Collective won the 2000 Elgin, and finished second in the race in 2002 and 2003. He has lost a few steps this year, at age 7, but is coming off an improved third-place finish in an optional claimer at Monmouth.

Twisted Wit, the leading 3-year-old sprinter at Woodbine, heads the six-furlong Kenora, which is worth $131,375.

Twisted Wit won two restricted stakes earlier in the meeting, the Achievement and Queenston. He faced older opponents most recently, in the 6 1/2-furlong Bold Venture Handicap, and got a 98 Beyer Figure for finishing second.

"Up to seven-eighths, I think he can beat any horse on the racetrack," said Twisted Wit's trainer, Bob Tiller.

Moonshine Justice has won two in a row heading into the $136,125 Simcoe, a seven-furlong sprint for male 2-year-olds.

Trained by Dave Cotey, Moonshine Justice won his maiden in the 5 1/2-furlong Clarendon, and was recently victorious over a muddy track in the six-furlong Vandal.

"I was shocked that he ran that well last time, because I really don't think he liked the track," Cotey said. "I think he won because he was much the best horse. He didn't even show the same speed that he did the race before. I'm hoping that he's a lot better on a fast track."

Cotey believes the stretch-out in distance won't be a problem for Moonshine Justice. "The way he closed and galloped out last time, I don't think seven-eighths will be a problem," he said.

Bosskiri, who is unbeaten in two starts, should be heavily favored in the $136,000 Muskoka, a seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. She only got a 59 Beyer when she won her maiden, but was awarded an 85 when she captured the Nandi Stakes a month ago.

Trainer Reade Baker said Bosskiri had reason to improve significantly, from her first race to her second.

"I think it was just a matter of fitness," Baker explained. "I did my normal procedure to get her ready, but I don't think it was enough for her. I don't think she was fit enough. Last time, she didn't lug in at all, which she had done in her [debut] and in her works."