Money Talker gets class relief in Friday turf feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Money Talker nearly pulled off an upset last time out in Grade 2 company, an effort that makes him the one to knock off in Friday’s Woodbine headliner. The third-level optional claimer, scheduled for 1 1/4 miles in lane 5 on the grass, carries a base purse of $66,400.

Money Talker has reached full bloom this year at age 5 under the guidance of Sid Attard, who began to train the Stronach Stables runner in the spring of 2013.

Money Talker beat Smooth Stone easily when victorious in a 1 3/8-mile optional claimer July 27, which was his first start over an extended route distance. Most recently, over 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 2 Sky Classic, he pressed a slow pace before hitting the front in the stretch and finishing a close third with a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

Jesse Campbell retains the mount on Money Talker, who would appear to prefer firm ground.

Six others were entered in Friday’s feature. Only Grade 3 winner Quaesitor ($75,000) will compete with a claiming tag.

KEY CONTENDERS

Money Talker (Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-83)

◗ The handsome son of Silent Name has developed an effective stalking style. He figures to track Sachem Spirit here before making his move.

Sachem Spirit (Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-85)

◗ The versatile 5-year-old ended a long drought a month ago, when he shrugged off a challenger for the lead before digging in to score by a neck in a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Polytrack.

◗ In May 2012, he rallied for second behind eventual Grade 1 winner Silver Max in the Arlington Classic.

Lukes Alley (Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-63)

◗ He wound up second in his lone outing this year in a Polytrack route at this level July 27. The upwardly mobile winner of that contest, Reporting Star, subsequently finished a close second in the Sky Classic.

◗ He graduated on firm turf here in the summer of 2013 but didn’t handle soft ground in his only other grass excursion in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby.

Cummings Road (Last 3 Beyers: 85-82-86)

◗ He was claimed by his original trainer, Mark Casse, for $60,000 when second to Sachem Spirit after awaiting room on the far turn Aug. 10.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Casse is 2 for 15 (13 percent) over the past five years with horses making their first start after a claim, with a return on investment of $3.96. Six of those starters finished in the money.

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