Mobil Unit goes back to turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Mobil Unit's solid turf form should make him the favorite in Sunday's $125,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds at Woodbine.

Mobil Unit competed on the grass three times at 2, which included a decisive gate-to-wire score in a six-furlong maiden special in August. Following a six-week break, he was a prominent fourth in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes behind Bridgetown, who subsequently ran second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Mobil Unit met restricted company Oct. 18 in the Cup and Saucer Stakes. He came away with third money in that 1 1/16-mile route, which was won by eventual Canadian champion 2-year-old Hollinger.

Mobil Unit finished a flat fifth in his season debut on Polytrack in a six-furlong allowance, a race that he needed, according to trainer Mike Keogh.

"We took chips out of his knees at the end of last season, and I lost a bit of time with him," Keogh said. "He was pretty eager early on in the race. That didn't help matters."

Mobil Unit breezed a half-mile in 47.40 seconds over the training track last Sunday, the fastest move of 19 at the distance.

"He always works solid," said Keogh. "He's a tough horse to slow down in the morning."

Trainer Bob Tiller entered Arepeatee and Race for Gold, who are both trying the grass for the first time.

Arepeatee was mildly competitive in several restricted stakes in the fall. He won a 5 1/2-furlong allowance with a powerful closing move May 19, for which he got a respectable 77 Beyer Figure.

Race for Gold captured both of his 2-year-old starts, and was third and second in his two allowance outings this spring. He also earned a 77 Beyer in his last race.

Tiller is optimistic that the surface switch won't be a problem for his two horses, who will run as separate betting interests.

"It's always a guessing game when they run on the grass," Tiller said. "They're both low to the ground when they gallop, so I think they should both handle it. They're both coming off huge races, and they're both in good order."

Tiller said Chantal Sutherland had her pick of the two runners, and she opted for Race for Gold. Eurico Da Silva will ride Arepeatee.

Doctor Jack was supplemented to the race at a cost of $2,500.