Paso Doble seeks fourth Shepperton Stakes score
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Paso Doble has dominated the $125,000 Shepperton Stakes in recent years and will try to win the race for the fourth time in the past five seasons Monday at Woodbine.
Trainer Mark Fournier couldn’t explain Paso Doble’s success in this particular race but said the 9-year-old gelding has been training as if he’s poised for another strong run in this year’s renewal.
“This time of the year, he just seems to come around,” he said. “He’s doing well. He had three solid breezes coming into this race, so we’re expecting him to run a good race.”
Paso Doble wired the field in his 2015 debut in the New Providence Stakes in May and was fifth in his most recent start in the Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on June 15. Fournier said traffic trouble prevented Paso Doble from running his best race at Presque Isle.
“He broke a step slow, and he got caught in tight,” he said. “He just didn’t get any clear run. I think with him getting shuffled and the race only being 5 1/2 furlongs, he never really got into stride.”
Fournier said Paso Doble doesn’t need the lead to be successful.
“If there’s no speed in the race, he’ll keep the lead,” he said. “He can sit and stalk, and once he gets clear run, he’ll run his race. I don’t think he needs the lead.”
Key Contenders
Paso Doble (Last 3 Beyers: 85-98-82)
* There doesn’t appear to be much early speed in the Shepperton, so Paso Doble should find himself forwardly placed from his outside draw with clear sailing along the outside.
Phil’s Dream (Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-90)
* Phil’s Dream has been second in all four of his starts this year, most recently finishing behind last year’s champion Canadian sprinter, Calgary Cat, in the Achievement Stakes on July 4.
* Paso Doble has run away from him in the last two races in which they’ve met, so expect Phil’s Dream to try to stay in range throughout.
Marten Lake (Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-83)
* Drops back into Ontario-sired waters after running against open company in his last three starts. He won a first-level allowance three starts back and has been close to finding the winner’s circle in each of his last two races, including in his most recent start July 5 at this distance.