Penn National: Volare Cantare drops into nice spot

After picking up small pieces of purses in four stakes races over the past 16 months, Volare Cantare takes a class drop into allowance company in search of her first first-place finish since January 2010 in Monday’s featured sixth race at Penn National Race Course.

A well-traveled 4-year-old filly who has raced at six different tracks and on dirt, synthetic, and turf in her nine-race career, Volare Cantare is among eight fillies and mares in a second-level optional $25,000 claimer at one mile on the main track.

Last year, one start after romping by 12 lengths going a mile and 70 yards on Aqueduct’s inner track, Volare Cantare was good enough to finish third in the $100,000 OBS Championship in Ocala, Fla., and earned a fifth-place check while enduring a troubled trip in the Grade 3 Comely at Aqueduct.

She was elevated from second to first via disqualifcation in a first-level optional $16,000 claimer at Tampa Bay Downs on New Year’s Day, then finished third going long on turf, fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Wayward Lass on dirt, and third last time out in the off-the-turf Dahlia at Laurel Park.

In a positive sign, Volare Cantare’s regular rider, Luis Garcia, comes in from Maryland to retain the mount on Monday night.

The top threat to Volare Cantare figures to come from the 4-year-old filly who will start just outside her in post 7, Outlaw Dancer. A winner against Pennsylvania-breds in a seven-furlong stakes at Parx Racing last summer, Outlaw Dancer returns to race at her home track for the first time since clearing her first allowance condition bhy 4 3/4 lengths going a mile last July. She will be stretching out around two turns for the third start of her current form cycle.

All Bets Off, a deep closer who is 9 for 21 lifetime, drops to the lowest level she has raced at since she was claimed for $25,000 by trainer Bruce Kravets last November. She is in for the optional $25,000 tag, which is significant because when she raced for a straight $25,000 price last fall, she won back-to-back starts.

Single Scoop, moving up one level after winning as the 9-5 favorite on April 18, and Whenthetimeisright, who streches out following a nose victory going 6 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 claimer at Parx, also merit consideration.