Much-improved Hanlan looks to keep moving forward
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – If there was an award for the most improved horse at Woodbine this year, Hanlan would be in the running. The late-blooming 4-year-old should be favored against first-level allowance company in Sunday’s six-furlong feature on the Tapeta.
It took Hanlan 10 starts to earn his diploma, finally turning the trick against $15,000 maidens on Dec. 7 while earning just a 67 Beyer Speed Figure. Hanlan changed trainers during the offseason and resurfaced with John Coryat on opening weekend of the meet. On April 27, the gelding beat $15,000 nonwinners of two easily after closing from fifth.
Hanlan was more forwardly placed early when tripling up against $25,000 nonwinners-of-three opposition May 22. He increased his Beyer output from 70 to 89 on June 26 when gutting out a victory in front-running style in a 6 1/2-furlong starter allowance.
Hanlan saw his win streak halted when moving up to Sunday’s class on July 20, but he didn’t disgrace himself in defeat. After stalking the leaders in fourth, he made a bid in the final furlong to finish second behind gate-to-wire winner Giant Teddy. The 81 Beyer he got in the 5 1/2-furlong dash was the second highest of his career.
Desean Bynoe replaces the sidelined Eswan Flores on Hanlan, who is owned by P413 Racing.
Trainer Marty Drexler saddles Armstrong and Priceless Will in the headliner. Armstrong was a $50,000 claim from trainer Mark Casse last October that hasn’t panned out. He stuck to the turf in his last two races, the best of which was a third in a five-furlong inner turf dash, the first leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series.
Priceless Will capped his 2024 campaign with a victory going seven furlongs at this level, during which he came from left field. He checked in third in his May 4 season opener in a starter handicap and then rallied for second in a seven-furlong test at this level before an uncharacteristically dull effort most recently.
Sahin Civaci and Rafael Hernandez are switching mounts on the two Drexler runners, with Civaci going to Armstrong. Hernandez won four races on Priceless Will in the past.
Completing the ninth-race field are Highland Life, Rat Portage, Poseidon Steel, and Your Valentino.
Your Valentino has been well worth the $15,000 that trainer Devon Gittens claimed him for on May 30. He went on to beat $25,000 nonwinners of three last out in his second try at that class. The 79 Beyer he received isn’t far off the Beyer par of 84 for this level.
Following his second straight lackluster performance, Rat Portage is making his first start for trainer Ted Holder. The closer was along for second behind the favored Speed Figures in his season opener, but it’s been all downhill since. Going back five years, Holder is 0 for 20 with new acquisitions, with five of those runners making the board.
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