Scarlet Flutter tries a mile again in Ontario Damsel

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Scarlet Flutter will step up to stakes company to take another crack at a mile on turf when she faces Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies in Saturday’s $125,000 Ontario Damsel at Woodbine.

A Sam-Son Farm homebred trained by Malcolm Pierce, Scarlet Flutter won two six-furlong turf sprints authoritatively here in the summer. After romping in a maiden special, she overcame a troubled trip to capture a first-level allowance with an impressive closing run on “good” ground Aug. 11.

Scarlet Flutter stretched out to a mile most recently in a second-level optional claimer on turf, rallying into contention in the stretch before flattening out to fourth behind Red Cabernet, who had won the Victoriana Stakes in her previous outing.

“That two-other-than was a tough race,” Pierce said. “It was her first time going a mile. She made the lead a little bit early. I think [jockey Patrick Husbands] learned a lot. He’s breezed her coming into this race, and we’re happy with the way she’s doing. We’re going to take our best shot. I think she’s got a chance.”

Saturday’s 11-race card also includes the $50,000 Lady In Red Handicap, a $20,000 starter for female chestnuts. Unseen Angels is the 126-pound highweight in the seven-furlong Tapeta sprint.

KEY CONTENDERS

Scarlet Flutter, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 78-78-70

◗ Some black type would go a long way in enhancing her value because she hails from a prolific Sam-Son family and is a full sister to Wonder Where Stakes winner Smartyfly.

Dixie Moon, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 88-22-88

◗ After upsetting Wonder Gadot in the Woodbine Oaks, she came up empty in the Queen’s Plate. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips moved her to the grass most recently in the 10-furlong Wonder Where, and she had an awkward pace-pressing trip between rivals before taking control and then losing to the long-winded Avie’s Mineshaft. A one-turn mile is more suitable for her.

Line of Vision, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-58

◗ She won a pair of Ontario-sired stakes at 2 and then got a late start to 2018. She won her second start off the bench going long in the Eternal Search Stakes and was a belated fourth last time on turf in the seven-furlong Passing Mood Stakes. Trainer Andrew Smith said the cutback in distance hurt her in the Passing Mood.

“I think a mile will be better for her, even though it’s tougher company,” Smith said. “She’s in real good order right now.”

Safe to Say, by Justin Phillip
Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-79

◗ She took the July 1 Bison City Stakes on the Tapeta and is coming off a distant third in the Wonder Where.