Owlette returns to the scene for Shady Well Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kentucky-based Owlette will try to double up at Woodbine off a layoff in Saturday’s $125,000 Shady Well Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for Ontario-bred 2-year-old fillies.

Owlette was second to her favored stablemate Nayibeth when debuting over 4 1/2 furlongs on dirt on April 17 at Keeneland.

Owlette is from the first crop of Ontario sire Frac Daddy, which is why trainer Wesley Ward shipped her here for a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special on the Tapeta on May 3. She won it comfortably by four lengths in 52.16 seconds, which got her a solid 76 Beyer Speed Figure. Due to her eligibility for Ontario-bred and Ontario-sired bonuses in that open dash, she earned a whopping $63,900.

“She’s a nice filly,” Ward said. “We’ve been working her at Keeneland getting her ready for this race ever since she broke her maiden up there. She’s big, so she should get better as the races get a little longer. She’s a really easy-going filly. Nothing bothers her.”

Frac Daddy’s biggest win came in the Grade 2 Eclipse here on the old Polytrack. He also took the Grade 3 Ben Ali over Keeneland’s Polytrack.

The Shady Well goes as the eighth on a 12-race card.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Owlette, by Frac Daddy

Beyer: 76

◗ She ended a long drought at Woodbine for Ward, who sent out Judy the Beauty to capture the 2011 Shady Well.

West Paw, by Frac Daddy

Beyer: 73

◗ Another daughter of Frac Daddy, she came from third over an anti-speed track to land her 4 1/2-furlong opener in a quick 51.91 here May 19. Her trainer, Mark Casse, won the Shady Well with Roxy Gap in 2010.

Take Charge Eh, by Will Take Charge

Beyer: 65

◗ She dueled up front in the two path and then opened up a clear lead before holding on to win her 5 1/2-furlong debut June 29. She galloped out strongly.

Wake Up Maggie, by Silent Name

Beyers: 60-64

◗ She was dismissed at 10-1 in her five-furlong bow June 15 and closed for second to Fast Scene, who came back to romp in the My Dear Stakes. She pressed the pace and prevailed by daylight in an easier maiden event that combined Ontario-sired and $40,000 fillies July 6.

◗ Trainer Harold Ladouceur sent her out to work a half-mile in 47.40 on July 19.

Curlin’s Voyage, by Curlin

Beyer: 71

◗ She got away slowly and rallied for second behind the favored Mr. Hustle against the boys in the 5 1/2-furlong Victoria Stakes.

Avie’s Samurai, by First Samurai

Beyer: 63

◗ She was a front-running second to the well-regarded Western Taffy at first asking July 13.