Prussian aims to build on last

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Bill Mott has won several major Woodbine races over the years, most notably the Woodbine Mile and Canadian International. He has never won the Grade 3 Summer Stakes, but has sent out the runner-up three times and will try to break through with the promising Prussian in Sunday's renewal of the one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds.

Prussian won his only start convincingly, on the grass at Saratoga. He established slow fractions in that 1 1/16-mile maiden special, before drawing off for a 6 3/4-length victory. His time of 1:42.60 translated into an 81 Beyer Speed Figure.

Prussian has worked three times at Saratoga in the interim, including a half-mile breeze in 49.20 seconds over a wet-fast training track Tuesday.

"He's doing fine," Mott said. "We wouldn't be coming if he wasn't. We're looking forward to it. Hopefully, we'll get some good weather."

Mott, who won the 1997 Woodbine Mile with Geri, described Prussian as an athletic type.

"He's medium-sized and well-balanced," Mott said. "He's not overly big at all."

Kent Desormeaux will ride Prussian, who looks like a solid prospect for the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park on Oct. 26.

Trainer Mark Casse entered Briarwood Circle and Brickyard Crossing in the $250,000 Summer.

Briarwood Circle won both of his outings, a maiden special on turf and the seven-furlong allowance prep for the Summer, which was moved to the Polytrack.

"I like him a lot," Casse said. "He ran very green in both of his races. He never paid attention, but was still able to win. If he can focus and run a straight line, I think he could be any kind."

Casse said Brickyard Crossing, a well-bred maiden by A.P. Indy, should ensure an honest pace.

"I just want to make sure that there's plenty of speed for Briarwood Circle to run at," Casse said. "Brickyard Crossing is pretty quick, and if they leave him alone, who knows? He's not a bad horse himself."

Fatal Bullet prevailed in his debut on the Polytrack and was second in the prep. His trainer, Reade Baker, won the 2005 Summer with Bear's Kid.