Moran looks to pad win total with rival on sidelines
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine’s top rider, Pietro Moran, has a chance to extend his lead in the standings with Rafael Hernandez suspended three days this week. The 2025 champion apprentice has mounts in four of Friday’s seven races, including Rose Fortune in the fourth, which is for Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens.
The Kevin Attard-trained Rose Fortune has made all four of her starts in Tapeta sprints at this level. She lost a heartbreaker when second on debut Nov. 29, then added blinkers and was a flat third Dec. 13.
Off a winter layoff without blinkers June 6, Rose Fortune wound up second to front-running longshot Angel’s Prospect. She was softened up in a speed duel most recently and faded to sixth on the stretch-out from six to 6 1/2 furlongs.
Friday’s race is five furlongs on the inner turf, and Rose Fortune is by the 11 percent turf-sprint sire Signature Red. Her dam was a grass expert, and her stakes-winning full sister, Ancient Spirit, won her debut going five furlongs on the inner turf.
Heading into this week, Moran had scored on 12 of 37 rides at the meet for Attard. His 46 wins is eight more than Hernandez, who had a three-bagger last Sunday.
Another daughter of Signature Red, Alpha Gamma Girl, has been knocking on the door and shouldn’t be a maiden much longer. The speedy 5-year-old placed on the inner turf in her first two starts – her career debut at 3 and 15 months later in her first start at 4. Most recently, in her second race after a winter vacation, she put away the other speed before holding on for second in an open maiden special on the inner turf.
Fraser Aebly retains the mount on Alpha Gamma Girl for trainer Darren Glennon.
The debuting 4-year-old Plantanita is well regarded by trainer Angus Buntain. Last Sunday, she breezed a half-mile in a quick 47.80 seconds on the Tapeta, which came after a half-mile drill from the gate in 49.40.
Plantanita is by the good 13 percent sire Reload, who also has yielded 13 percent debut winners. Her unraced dam has produced four grass winners and three stakes-placed runners, including the versatile Ratface Macdougall.
Pretty Vicious brings improving Tapeta form to her first turf try. The daughter of 12 percent turf-sprint sire Candy Ride is out of a five-furlong grass specialist.
Surfside Beach didn’t show any staying power in her two Tapeta outings, and trainer Nick Nosowenko is adding blinkers to her equipment. The daughter of 13 percent turf-sprint sire Omaha Beach is out of a mare who was stakes-placed on the grass.
Among Moran’s other Friday mounts, Holiday With Amy in the fifth race probably has the best chance. The 6-year-old has finishe third in both of her starts at the meet, most recently at the $15,000 claiming class at which she’s competing Friday.
Moran replaces his suspended father, David, on front-runner Temple Hall in the second race. Temple Hall is drawn outside the other speed in the $15,000 conditioned claimer and looks to have his work cut out for him.
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