Private Label poised to improve
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Private Label appears to be cycling up to a peak performance. He could clear the nonwinners-of-three condition going 1 1/16 miles in the Friday feature on the main turf at Woodbine, a hybrid event for Ontario-sired and $40,000 claimers.
Private Label was claimed by trainer Dale Desruisseaux for $40,000 in October, when the son of Passion for Action beat nonwinners of two going long on the inner turf. He went on to finish fourth in back-to-back nonwinners-of-three routes on different surfaces before getting the winter off.
Private Label probably needed his June 11 season opener, when he was a distant fourth on the Tapeta. He competed over the inner turf in each of his last outings at this level, finishing a troubled fifth June 25 and a closing third on July 31, when he just missed second.
Ryan Munger inherits the mount from Pietro Moran on Private Label, who begins from post 3 in a seven-horse field that also includes Sprung Loose, Southern Style, Motion Granted, and Exude.
Sprung Loose would likely be favored if this race is moved to the Tapeta, over which he beat maidens and nonwinners of two last year and displayed marked improvement in the fall. Sprung Loose closed inside for second in both of his starts traveling 1 1/16 miles this summer. Most recently, he was a bit rank early while rated off a slow pace in third before finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind front-running Cash the Money, earning his third straight 77 Beyer Speed Figure in the process.
Sprung Loose failed to hit the board in three grass outings during his formative years, but he probably deserves a turf mulligan. Jeffrey Alderson will ride the 5-year-old again for owner-trainer Kyle Sharman.
Southern Style had a poor 2025 season but has come to life of late for trainer Gail Cox. He has made all three of his starts on the inner turf this year, finishing up the course in his comeback in a first-level allowance before ending up fourth against $25,000 nonwinners-of-two claimers.
When boosted up to nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance company most recently, Southern Style was dismissed at 15-1. After racing in seventh early, he rallied three wide from off a fast pace to prevail under leading rider Moran, who stays aboard.
Motion Granted set a lively pace before blowing a 2 1/2-length lead in the final furlong when a lapped-on second against $25,000 conditioned stock in his latest. Expect him to lead the way like he did when wiring $25,000 nonwinners-of-two opponents on the Tapeta in October.
Exude is moving up off a $25,000 claim by trainer Larry Attard and a dull sixth on the inner turf, over which he defeated nonwinners-of-two types off a one-year layoff June 12. The son of Tapit has worked twice for his new connections and could be rejuvenated.
King Rosso and Quiet Vista complete the field in the opening race on the seven-race card. Post time is 1 p.m.
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