No Sox Fox can upset in feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - No Sox Fox, a rallying third in his first start over the Woodbine oval, could spring a mild upset here in Thursday's $71,300 feature.

The six-furlong race, a third-level allowance with an optional claiming clause of $80,000, attracted a field of six.

No Sox Fox, a British Columbia-bred 3-year-old gelding owned by Simichiello Stable, is one of three horses who shipped here from Vancouver this fall with trainer Bob Rohman.

In his local opener, the six-furlong allowance prep for the Kennedy Road Stakes on Nov. 18, No Sox Fox closed from last place in the field of seven to finish 5 1/2 lengths behind stakes-class sprinters High Blitz and Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk.

"He had too much ground to make up last time," said Rohman. "It would be nice to see him sit up a little closer."

Chris's Bad Boy, who rebounded from a couple of dull efforts to just miss in a six-furlong classified allowance here Nov. 11, will be the horse to catch under returning rider Jono Jones.

Apprentice Justin Stein, who finished up the Hastings meeting as the leading rider with 148 wins, retains the mount on No Sox Fox, as well as Bull Ranch, who will start for Rohman in Thursday's supporting feature.

Rohman added that No Sox Fox and Bull Ranch, who also will be making his second local appearance here Thursday, would both move up in off going.

Bull Ranch, a Kentucky-bred 3-year-old gelding, had finished second in the 1 1/8-mile British Columbia Derby in his first start for Rohman and then won the 1 3/8-mile Premier's against older rivals over a sloppy strip at Hastings.

His first try here also came against older horses, as Bull Ranch set the pace before weakening to finish seventh in a field of eight in the 1 1/16-mile Woodbine Slots Cup on Nov. 19.

Bull Ranch will be shortening up to six furlongs for Thursday's $66,800 race, a second-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming clause that drew a field of eight.

"I think he'll be very salty here," said Rohman, who does not believe the cutback to six furlongs will present a problem for Bull Ranch. "He can rate a little bit - he doesn't have to go to the front."

Most of Bull Ranch's rivals originally were slated to clash last Thursday on one of the cards canceled because of poor track conditions.

Cherokee Dance, also shortening up off a failed stakes try, should appreciate the return to a sprint.