Rye on the Rocks set to go

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Rye on the Rocks, an aptly named son of Whiskey Wisdom, seems poised for a peak effort in Thursday's Woodbine headliner, an Ontario-sired allowance for nonwinners of three.

Rye on the Rocks nearly upset Arch Hall last Nov. 2 in the mile-and-70-yard Bunty Lawless Stakes, in which he blew a clear lead in the stretch before ending up second. He received a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 91 when he finished third behind Molinaro Beau and Bold Finish in a subsequent Ontario-sired allowance at 1 1/16 miles, the distance of Thursday's race.

Rye on the Rocks has made two starts this year, both at 6 1/2 furlongs. He wound up fifth on the Polytrack in his season opener, and was a wide-closing fourth in an open allowance on the grass June 3.

Jockey Justin Stein replaces the suspended Eurico Rosa da Silva on Rye on the Rocks, who is trained by Laurie Silvera.

Other possibilities in Thursday's feature include Beau Run, Garzon, Gladiator at Home, and Honest Accountant.

Beau Run, a deep closer trained by David Bell, will be making his third appearance of the year. He came from 15 lengths back to end up a nonthreatening second last time out in an open allowance.

Beau Run was victorious in an easier restricted allowance going 1 1/16 miles Nov. 10, and got a 90 Beyer when he ran fourth behind Rye on the Rocks on Dec. 1.

Garzon should be forwardly placed in his first venture around two turns. He had a productive 2006 campaign, winning 2 of 11 starts and $77,696.

Garzon joined trainer John Cardella's barn this year, and was second in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint two starts back. Most recently, in another Ontario-sired allowance at that distance, he tracked a rapid pace on the outside before fading to fourth.

Apprentice Tyler Pizarro retains the mount on Garzon, who is by a speed sire and out of a mare who won 2 of 8 route starts.

Gladiator at Home ended a long drought May 26, when he captured a $40,000 conditioned claimer by three lengths under Shane Ellis. He has worked five-eighths twice in the interim on the Polytrack, and might not be out of his league with these.

Honest Accountant closed belatedly to finish second behind the heavily favored That's an Outrage in $40,000 company June 8, his first top-three placing since he ran second in an Aug. 13 allowance.