Private Label best equipped to handle featured allowance
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Private Label seems poised to clear the nonwinners-of-two condition in Friday’s Woodbine feature for Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers. The versatile 4-year-old meets nine others in the 1 1/16-mile inner turf route and should be favored from post 1 under Ryan Munger.
A flashy chestnut owned by Uphill Stable, Private Label hasn’t been worse than fourth in six outings for trainer Rachel Halden. He graduated in his third start in a $40,000 maiden race that was taken off the turf July 13, earning his best Beyer Speed Figure, a 75.
Private Label made his next three starts at this level, which included a prominent third going long on the inner turf Aug. 24. The Kentucky-bred son of Ontario sire Passion for Action awaited room along the inside on the far turn most recently before closing to finish a lapped-on second in his second try with Lasix.
Weller Green appears to be in peak form. In his first start as a gelding in his July 25 season opener, the 4-year-old got away slowly before closing strongly to land a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on the main turf with a 77 Beyer. In a subsequent nonwinners-of-two allowance, he rallied outside from a trailing seventh to finish a well-beaten third.
The hot apprentice Austin Adams picks up the mount on Weller Green, who’s trained by Catherine Day-Phillips for Kingfield Racing Stable.
Connor is descending from first-level allowance company and could get back on the beam. His best races this year were arguably going long on the Tapeta, but he’s no slouch on the grass when things go his way. Keveh Nicholls retains the mount for trainer Julia Carey.
Thor’s Cause took 18 starts to graduate and finally earned his diploma Sept. 18 when having a fast pace to close behind on the Tapeta. He was previously second traveling 1 1/16 miles on the inner course, easily his best of four turf races. Leading apprentice Pietro Moran takes over for trainer Krista Cole.
The Steve Attard-trained Fun Fella could be construed as a live longshot. He came wide from left field to earn his diploma in a 7 1/2-furlong inner turf tilt for $25,000 maidens in his penultimate race. A subsequent performance versus open allowance company was disappointing, and he’s dropping to a more appropriate spot.
Holiday Snooze is the lone entrant competing without the claiming price. He crushed $25,000 maidens last time out off a claim by hot trainer Danny Yu.
Rounding out the lineup for the second race are Stratus, Human Desire, Lost Star, and Its in the Cards. Ride for the Purse is entered for the main track only.
Post time for the appealing seven-race card is 4:30 p.m.
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