Passion for Action gets toughest test in Nearctic
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Passion for Action appears to be a 3-year-old with a future. He will get his sternest test to date on Sunday’s Canadian International undercard at Woodbine in the Grade 2, $300,000 Nearctic Stakes.
The highlight of Passion for Action’s 2-year-old campaign was a decisive victory in the rich Cup and Saucer Stakes on the grass. He was late getting started this year and was along for second off an eight-month layoff in a second-level optional claimer July 25.
“He had a little bone bruising in Florida, which set us back a bit,” trainer Mike De Paulo said. “It was kind of disappointing, but he’s good now.”
Passion for Action went on to finish a creditable fourth against older opposition in the Grade 2 Play the King while just missing third to the classy Kaigun.
This six-furlong turf sprint is wide open. Carded as the fourth race, it is the first leg of the early pick four, which has a guaranteed pool of $300,000.
KEY CONTENDERS
Passion for Action (Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-88)
◗ The Benjamin Hutzel homebred by Speightstown came from the trailing fourth position to prevail in his last race in a seven-furlong optional claimer that was taken off the turf.
“He’s okay on the Poly, but I think he’s better on turf,” De Paulo said. “We’ll go the grass route and see what happens. He’s a nice little horse, and I’d love to get some graded black type for the mare.”
Terror (North American debut)
◗ The 3-year-old filly from England encountered some traffic while running second in a stakes at Newmarket on Oct. 10.
◗ Her trainer, David Simcock, captured last year’s Nearctic with the stretch runner Caspar Netscher.
The Great War (Last 3 Beyers: 86-43-93)
◗ He bled in a poor showing early in the year and has competed just once since, finishing second at Saratoga in the Quick Call to Ready for Rye, who subsequently won another stakes.
◗ His trainer, Wesley Ward, has struggled here in recent years, except for when he’s shipped in dead-fit sprinters on opening weekend.
Sweet Luca (Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-82)
◗ He turned back from a route to 6 1/2 furlongs last time and won the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash over an undulating course. The deep closer needs some speed to chase.
Spring to the Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 91-84-91)
◗ After being a minor player in a pair of stakes at Saratoga, he led throughout to win the six-furlong Laurel Dash over yielding ground Sept. 12.
Cyclogenisis (Last 3 Beyers: 85-79-83)
◗ He was a troubled fourth behind The Great War in the Quick Call after coming up empty in a Group 1 fixture at Royal Ascot.