On Rainbow Bridge shortens up for Etobicoke Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After two route tries, On Rainbow Bridge will cut back to a sprint distance and face open company in Monday’s $100,000 Etobicoke Stakes over six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

On Rainbow Bridge, a two-time stakes winner in sprints last season, won her seasonal debut in the Lady Angela Stakes over seven furlongs June 7. She was a non-threatening sixth in the Ontario Damsel Stakes over a mile on turf in her next start July 19 and then rallied to be third in the 1 1/16-mile Eternal Search Stakes on Aug. 2.

“I think the distance will be better for her,” trainer David Cotey said. “I think she’ll give [Pirate’s Trove] a run for her money. There’s a few horses with speed who will go with that horse. If we can sit back and take a run at them, which we will, then we’ll see what happens.”

Pirate’s Trove, based at Arlington Park, returns to Woodbine after taking the seven-furlong Duchess Stakes here July 20, when she saw her lead evaporate in the final strides.

“She was looking around a little bit in the last eighth,” said jockey Florent Geroux. “I think she’s going to get better and better with each race.”

Etobicoke Stakes (race 8)

Key contenders

Pirate’s Trove (Last 2 Beyers: 79-95)

* Pirate’s Trove set a slow pace in her career debut May 31 at Arlington Park and sat back while tracking Zensational Bunny in the Duchess. With speed threats Russian Jewel and Gagaoveryou entered in this spot, she’ll likely stalk the pace again in this race.

On Rainbow Bridge (Last 3 Beyers: 68-50-79)

* She appears to be better sprinting than going a route of ground and recorded a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure in the Lady Angela. She should get an ideal setup from off the pace.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Cotey has a 7 percent strike rate from 95 starters going from a route to a sprint over the past five years, with a positive return on investment of $2.33.

Zensational Bunny (Last 3 Beyers: 65-77-65)

* She went out to an early lead in the Duchess and couldn’t hold it, suffering her first defeat on Woodbine’s Polytrack. She stalked effectively to win the Star Shoot Stakes at this distance in April and may want to use that style with the early speed involved in this event.