Paso Doble to give grass a try in Bold Ruckus

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Paso Doble was supplemented to Wednesday's $125,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes at a cost of $2,500, and should be prominent in the six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds, if he handles the Woodbine grass.

:: RACE OF THE DAY:

After winning both of his 2-year-old outings, which were at Woodbine, Paso Doble wintered in Florida with trainer Alex Fehr, who sent him out to finish third in a second-level optional claimer at Gulfstream.

Paso Doble wound up fifth against older open allowance opposition in a five-furlong dash here opening day. He ran the race of his life most recently in an Ontario-sired allowance, winning comfortably from just off the pace with a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.

Fehr was thrilled with Paso Doble's latest performance.

"It worked out the way we hoped it would," said Fehr. "We took the blinkers off, and we were happy that he relaxed the way he did."

Paso Doble is by the stakes-winning turf sprinter Bold n' Flashy, himself a son of legendary Canadian sire Bold Ruckus.

"We're eager to get him on the grass," said Fehr. "It looks like he should enjoy it. He has a very efficient stride, and a nice-sized foot.'"

Paso Doble breezed five-eighths on the Polytrack in a bullet 59.40 seconds last Thursday.

"I got him in 58.80, but it doesn't really matter what the time was," said Fehr. "He did it very well. He works fast on his own. He hasn't had any hiccups since his [last] race."

Jono Jones retains the mount on Paso Doble, a Kentucky-bred owned by Terry Hamilton.

Trainer Nick Gonzalez, who won last year's Bold Ruckus with Stuck in Traffic, is running the unbeaten Daniel Be Good on Wednesday.

Daniel Be Good led all the way in both of his starts, both going six furlongs in Ontario-sired company. He won his maiden with a Beyer Figure of 71 in April, and got a 77 Beyer when he toppled nonwinners-of-two allowance opposition May 15.

Assistant trainer Martha Gonzalez believes Daniel Be Good has the potential to be a serious runner.

"He's a very relentless horse," said Gonzalez. "He's a bit of a handful to train, but he's a stone runner. He still doesn't know what he's doing, but if he ever gets it together, he'll be a nice horse. I'd like to try him farther - I think he'll run long."

Chad Beckon will ride Daniel Be Good, a Trajectory gelding owned by Terra Racing Stable.

The Boy's Ring won his only start, which came over five furlongs on the Polytrack, receiving an 86 Beyer.