Rosebud's Hope brings solid form to Thursday allowance
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The wonderfully versatile Rosebud’s Hope would appear to lay over the field in Thursday’s Woodbine headliner, a second-level allowance sprint with a $62,500 claiming option on the Tapeta.
A $40,000 claim in 2020 by trainer Kevin Attard for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, Rosebud’s Hope has reached full bloom this year at 6. She won her July 2 season opener in a $40,000 claimer going the 6 1/2-furlong distance of Thursday’s race by five lengths with a career-high 82 Beyer Speed Figure.
Rosebud’s Hope made each of her last three starts on the grass with a $62,500 tag. She doubled up July 31 in a one-mile inner turf route, barely holding on after leading throughout the stretch. Three weeks later, she set moderate fractions in a seven-furlong main turf sprint before getting nailed on the wire by the improving Juxtapose, who subsequently ran third in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron.
Rosebud’s Hope employed a less-aggressive approach most recently in a 6 1/2-furlong tilt over good ground, racing evenly in a four-wide position before checking in third behind Toffen and Lady Grace.
In a six-horse field without much speed Thursday, expect Rosebud’s Hope to be forwardly placed after breaking from the rail under Rafael Hernandez.
Leading trainer Mark Casse entered Beyond Mybudget and Fly So Pretty, who are both returning from a layoff. Over the past five years, Casse scored at an 18 percent clip with 61-180-day comebackers, while yielding a return on investment of $2.21.
Beyond Mybudget defeated the future allowance winners Owen’s Tour Guide and State Crown in her first-level allowance victory Aug. 7. There was a gap in her works leading up to Oct. 1, when she breezed five-eighths in a quick :59.60, and then came back with a half-mile drill in :48.80 nine days later.
Fly So Pretty is winless in six starts since capturing the $100,000 Stewart Manor Stakes on the grass at Aqueduct in November 2019. Her two starts early at this meet were both disappointing.
Hell N Wild comes off back-to-back fifth-place finishes against stakes opposition, in the restricted Zadracarta on turf and the Grade 3 Seaway on the main track. She lost a nail-biter at this level over good turf July 17 in her second start off the shelf.
Fact Checking was a minor player at this level before a wide seventh-place finish in the Sept. 10 Zadracarta. She got away slowly and then awaited room before closing belatedly for fourth in a five-furlong dash that was taken off the turf Oct. 9.
Completing the lineup is Ishiyaya, who has struggled since clearing the first allowance condition early in the meet.