Ride the Westwind exits a key race

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Ride the Westwind got roughed up in the stretch when returning from an extended layoff in his season opener. He should be considerably more effective with a trouble-free journey in Wednesday's Woodbine feature, a seven-furlong allowance on the grass.

Ride the Westwind has made three starts, all on the grass. The 4-year-old won his debut last August in a six-furlong maiden special, scoring by 1o1/2 lengths with an 83 Beyer Figure. He came back three weeks later in a seven-furlong allowance, but could only manage a fifth-place finish as the favorite.

Ride the Westwind reappeared in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance June 3, and was the more fancied half of the favored entry with Mulmur. After reaching contention early in the stretch, he was bumped twice and had to be checked before finishing well back of victorious Mulmur, who had clear sailing on the outside.

Three runners have exited that event to win, including the 3-year-old Ice Bear, who captured the June 24 Charlie Barley Stakes.

Todd Kabel retains the mount on Ride the Westwind, a nicely bred son of Gone West who is owned by Sam-Son Farm and trained by Mark Frostad.

Other contenders include High Act, Ju Ju Beast, Wollemi Pine, Rockerfeller, and Guillaume Tell.

High Act finished fourth in two straight allowances during the winter at Gulfstream Park, the second of which included standouts Chelokee and Sightseeing. He was considered a serious Queen's Plate prospect after shipping here in the spring, but subsequently missed valuable training time because of a pulled muscle, and never made the June 24 Plate.

Ju Ju Beast blew away $40,000 nonwinners-of-two types while receiving an 86 Beyer in a May 30 turf sprint. He has worked twice in the interim, and should not be out of his league with these if he fires his best shot again.

Wollemi Pine nearly captured an easier allowance over seven furlongs on the grass June 15 and received a lifetime best 82 Beyer. His trainer, Ian Black, won the $1 million Plate with longshot Mike Fox.

Rockerfeller's lone grass effort wasn't one of his best, but he raced wide throughout that Feb. 4 maiden special at the Fair Grounds. He has run three solid races on the Polytrack since shipping here, the first of which was a fast maiden win over under Emma Wilson.

Guillaume Tell was overmatched last time in the Singspiel Stakes, but he was beaten only a half-length the start before in his local debut.