Quidi Vidi all prepped up for Friday feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fresh horses should begin to have an advantage as we reach the halfway point of the Woodbine meet, and Quidi Vidi fits the bill in Friday’s sixth race, a $50,000 claiming sprint for fillies and mares on turf.

A 5-year-old trained by Lorna Perkins, Quidi Vidi was precocious enough to finish second in the Muskoka Stakes at 2. Her lone victory in nine starts last year came in her second race off the bench in a first-level allowance on the Tapeta. She went on to be a minor player in two Ontario-sired stakes, the Ballade and Rainbow Connection, among a host of other solid efforts in second-level optional-claiming company.

Quidi Vidi mounted a mild bid to finish fifth when returning from an extended layoff at the second allowance category July 22, which should set her up nicely for this outing.

A field of nine was drawn for the nominal feature, including main-track-only entrant Casablanca Kiss. Post time for the first race Friday is 3:45 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Quidi Vidi, by Marcavelly

Last 3 Beyers: 77-80-74

◗ In a field with ample speed, her stalking style should come in handy.

◗ Her rider, Simon Husbands, is 1 for 5 at the meet for Perkins, who has a 14 percent strike rate second time off a layoff over the past five years, with a return on investment of $1.53.

Real Coal, by Cool Coal Man

Last 3 Beyers: 70-58-70

◗ The front-runner just missed last time after setting a lively pace in a starter allowance won by My Cantata, who came back to double up in another $12,500 starter. She came up empty after a stalking trip in a first-level allowance July 1, after wiring $32,000 claimers in early June.

Wild N Clever, by Offlee Wild

Last 3 Beyers: 75-83-64

◗ A need-the-lead type, she faded last time after a stalking trip in a second-level optional claimer on the main track. She led throughout a $20,000 starter on turf in her penultimate start, going the 6 1/2-furlong distance of Friday’s race.

Hidden to Win, by Philanthropist

Last 3 Beyers: 71-61-80

◗ Following a 1 1/2-year sabbatical June 4, she rallied strongly from seventh to win a second-level optional claimer on the Tapeta. She never fired in a subsequent grass stakes, which also was the case when tagged for $60,000 in her latest.

Gwendoline H, by Archarcharch

Last 3 Beyers: 69-79-79

◗ She was in good form prior to a subpar showing in a recent optional claimer.

◗ Her tactical speed could be effective from the outside post under leading rider Eurico Da Silva.