Picasso Moon likely to improve with race under her belt

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grass racing returns to Woodbine on Friday. Lane 5 will be used for a pair of turf sprints on the eight-race card, including a maiden special that attracted 13 entries.

The featured nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance/$40,000 claimer will be run on the Tapeta as race 7. Picasso Moon should be among the favorites in her second race off the sidelines.

Picasso Moon won 2 of 7 outings last year, all for trainer Mark Casse. She graduated in the slop at the Fair Grounds in January and subsequently beat nonwinners-of-two $40,000 types here on the Tapeta in April. She finished a troubled fourth at this level July 5 and missed the rest of the year.

Returning here April 29, Picasso Moon ran evenly in a three-wide stalking position to finish behind favorites Little Christy and Crumlin Spirit.

Picasso Moon is going from five to six furlongs Friday, with Patrick Husbands retaining the mount. She will compete with a $40,000 claiming price, as she did in her last start.

KEY CONTENDERS

Picasso Moon, by Elusive Quality

Last 3 Beyers: 72-61-64

DRF Formulator fact: Going back five years, Casse has a 19 percent strike rate second time off a layoff of at least 45 days, with a return on investment of $1.50.

Tripllindee, by Signature Red

Beyers: 74-61-61

◗ After taking her debut in October, the 4-year-old was a front-running fourth in an Ontario-sired allowance, then got the winter off. She parlayed an ideal stalking trip into a daylight score against easier in her April 22 season opener going five-eighths and has since worked quickly.

◗ Her red-hot trainer, Darwin Banach, won last Sunday’s Grade 3 Marine Stakes with the favored O’Kratos.

Lady Brie, by Parading

Last 3 Beyers: 70-73-69

◗ She faded to fourth behind Picasso Moon when she came off a five-month break April 29. She ran third in back-to-back sprints on turf and the Tapeta at this level in the fall after getting claimed for $40,000 by trainer Dale Desruisseaux.

Without a Doubt, by Court Vision

Last 3 Beyers: 59-69-69

◗ One of just two 3-year-olds in the field, she ran sixth in the April 29 race in her season debut, and that should set her up for a speed try in this longer event. Her best effort at 2 was a front-running second behind Line of Vision in the restricted Victorian Queen Stakes.

Hailey’s Prize, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 70-65-64

◗ She defeated nonwinners-of-two allowance opposition here Nov. 11 before fading to a fourth-place finish at this class on Nov. 25, her last start.