Sailing Home back on grass in Bold Ruckus Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sailing Home will get back on turf in search of his first stakes win in Sunday’s $125,000 Bold Ruckus Stakes at Woodbine, a six-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.

Sailing Home finished fourth after setting the pace in his first start on turf in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March. Trainer Mark Casse was pleased with Sailing Home’s performance and felt a move back to turf would benefit the son of Mast Track.

“That was a really good race,” he said. “He’s training well. I would think [the turf] should be to his liking.”

After a sixth-place finish in the Rushaway Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on synthetic at Turfway Park in March, Sailing Home returned to sprinting with a fourth-place finish in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes on April 22 and a runner-up effort in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes on May 13. Casse said those two sprint races on Woodbine’s Tapeta should set Sailing Home up nicely for the Bold Ruckus.

“He’s been running against tough horses,” He said. “I think the turf will help him.”

Key Contenders

Sailing Home, by Mast Track
Last 3 Beyers: 85-75-55

◗ Sailing Home enjoyed success sprinting as a 2-year-old. He crushed a group of Ontario-sired maidens by 9 3/4 lengths in his career debut before running third in the Swynford Stakes.

Lokinforpursemonee, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 85-88-55

◗ He has experience over the turf, having finished seventh in the Cup and Saucer Stakes last October. He earned a 67 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/16-mile race.

◗ His speed figures have improved considerably this season. He recorded an 88 Beyer in winning the Woodstock Stakes and was a game third in his most recent start in the Queenston Stakes.

Signature Spring, by Signature Red
Last 3 Beyers: 77-75-72

◗ He enters off an allowance win over six furlongs on Tapeta on June 2. He’s making his turf debut but should be able to handle the surface. Sire Signature Red was a three-time winner on turf from eight starts, while dam Springledge won on turf and placed in all five of her starts on grass.

Katalox, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 66-77-69

◗ He should find himself on the lead and could steal this one on the front end. He prevailed after an early speed duel in an allowance over six furlongs two starts back with a 77 Beyer. He earned an 87 Beyer as a 2-year-old when second in the Clarendon Stakes, where he was caught at the wire by Vanish.