Like Mom Like Sons back for round two

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Like Mom Like Sons, one of the more promising 2-year-olds at Woodbine, makes his second start in Wednesday's sixth race here, a six-furlong allowance.

Like Mom Like Sons was not a secret when he debuted Oct. 1, and was bet down to even-money in the six-furlong maiden event. He dueled four wide through a fast opening quarter in 22.07 seconds, then opened up a clear lead on the turn before coasting home on top by nearly eight lengths. His final time of 1:11.15 translated into an excellent 85 Beyer Figure.

Patrick Husbands retains the mount on Like Mom Like Sons, a nicely bred son of the late Carson City. When riding for trainer Sid Attard at the meeting, Husbands has a record of 14 for 57.

Husbands also will pilot Westmoreland in Wednesday's seventh race, a competitive $62,500 optional claimer going six furlongs.

Westmoreland, who won 2 of 8 starts in 2005 for trainer Todd Pletcher, was sent here to trainer Mark Casse earlier this year. He was a disappointment in his first two starts for Casse, but showed signs of life when returning from a layoff Oct. 14, finishing a fast-closing second after being stuck in traffic on the turn.

Other contenders in the seventh include Gurkhas Band, Quick in Deed, My Cousin Matt, and the entry of Bold Thing and Seeking the Carat.

Gurkhas Band led throughout a grass allowance in August, and was recently third behind Westmoreland after participating in a pace battle. If he employs an aggressive approach on Wednesday, Gurkhas Band figures to have the rapid Sonoma Storm breathing down his neck from the outset.

Quick in Deed had a lucrative 2005 campaign, winning 4 of 9 starts, including two restricted stakes, for earnings of $286,960. He has failed to finish in the top three in just three outings this year, but has brought improving form to this engagement, and could be poised to fire his best shot.

My Cousin Matt is winless since taking a $100,000 optional claimer in May of 2004 at Belmont, although he did finish third in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Lone Star. He wound up fourth in both of his starts here this fall on the all-weather track, including in an $80,000 optional claimer won by a sharp Just Rushing.

Successful turf sprinter Bold Thing defeated first-level allowance opposition in his debut on the Polytrack on Oct. 15.

Seeking the Carat is winless in eight outings this year, and was recently fourth in a classified allowance.