More ground could be just what Fanore needs to graduate
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A mile and a quarter seems ideal for the Irish import Fanore, who should be favored in Thursday’s sixth race at Woodbine, a maiden special on the main turf with a base purse of $72,000.
A 4-year-old trained by Tony Gattellaro, Fanore started twice at 2 in Ireland without showing much. The son of Churchill commenced his 3-year-old campaign with a third-place finish at Cork, after which he finished far back in three consecutive races.
Fanore nearly put it all together in his final 3-year-old outing at Leopardstown in October, when he was prominent throughout in a 1 1/4-mile handicap before checking in a half-length back in second on soft ground.
In his debut for Gattellaro here May 28, Fanore ran second to the future allowance winner Kerouac going a 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta. He lost his next race over 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf by just a head as the favorite and is coming off a third in another maiden special, traveling 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta. Victorious Aha Moment exited his last race to romp in an allowance with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
Rafael Hernandez picks up the mount on Fanore and should have him forwardly placed after breaking from post 3 in the six-horse field.
The well-bred fillies Milagre Do Sol and Painted Glory are taking on the boys.
Milagre Do Sol finished up the track when debuting in a key maiden-special route on Tapeta on May 12. She ran much better most recently in two-turn maiden special on the inner turf, during which she awaited room in the stretch while in the midst of her rally before finishing a close fourth.
Apprentice Sofia Vives rides Milagre Do Sol for trainer Kevin Attard. They’re a combined 2 for 9 at the meet.
Painted Glory closed for fourth in both of her outings versus maiden-special company after quite a wide trip most recently going long on the Tapeta. Justin Stein rides the Chiefswood Stables homebred for trainer Rachel Halden.
Vincenzino is a wake-up candidate in his turf debut. He was gelded by trainer Katerina Vassilieva after finishing nearly 30 lengths back last time out in a March 25 maiden special at Gulfstream. He was blocked along the inside before ending up fifth in a maiden-special route on Tapeta here Nov. 25.
Vincenzino is by the 10 percent turf sire Shaman Ghost, who took the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate. Vincenzino’s dam produced one winner from two turf starters.
Big Shooter wound up fourth when dropping to $25,000 while changing surfaces to the inner turf at second asking July 22. The son of Temple City is a half-brother to classic winner Big Brown, who is one of eight turf winners out of his dam.
Rounding out the field is Exude, who is making his first start for trainer Barbara Minshall off a wide fifth on the dirt at Saratoga.
Post time for the seven-race card is 4:50 p.m.
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