Nipigon ready off Florida prep race
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The stakes-placed Nipigon will continue on the comeback trail in the eighth race, a $47,500 Ontario-sired allowance route, on Friday at Woodbine.
Nipigon, a son of Queen’s Plate winner Niigon, looked like a prospect for last year’s Plate after his 2-year-old season of 2014. After ending up second in his debut, he graduated in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race for Ontario-sired stock in October 2014. Nipigon capped his juvenile campaign with a narrow loss to Decision Day in the nine-furlong Coronation Futurity, receiving an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
Nipigon never challenged in his lone outing last year, an allowance on the grass at Keeneland. Following a one-year layoff, and in his first start with Lasix, he rallied for third in an allowance on the turf April 6 at Tampa Bay Downs, an effort that should set him up nicely for this engagement.
Seven others were entered to face Nipigon.
The opener on a bettable nine-race card, another first-level allowance for Ontario-sired stock, is a wide-open sprint for 3-year-old fillies. The nightcap is a $16,000 starter allowance that includes the popular veterans Run to the Bank and Uncatchable Fire.
KEY CONTENDERS
Nipigon, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 78-73-80
◗ Steve Bahen will ride him for trainer Rachel Halden, who has solid numbers with turf and synthetic runners.
◗ He breezed a half-mile April 24 on the Tapeta in 47.60 seconds, the fastest of 75 works at the distance.
Iphikles, by Niigon
Last 3 Beyers: 70-65-57
◗ A late bloomer, he beat $16,000 maidens in his 10th trip postward in early November and then got the winter off after finishing a close second in an Ontario-sired allowance Nov. 29.
◗ His work tab includes a five-eighths drill in a bullet 59 seconds on the Tapeta on April 8.
Guitar George, by Not Bourbon
Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-75
◗ After toppling maidens Oct. 30, he rallied for fifth behind Iphikles while against the flow of the race Nov. 29.
I Am Who I Am, by Sligo Bay
Last 3 Beyers: 68-72-67
◗ He was campaigned extensively over the winter at Tampa, where he was competitive against $16,000 conditioned claimers on the grass. He seems overmatched, but his fitness edge could vault him into contention.
Strike Me Again, by Milwaukee Brew
Last 3 Beyers: 71-64-53
◗ He earned his keep in 2015 for trainer Dave Cotey, who has begun the meet on a positive note with his comebackers.