Scarlett's Pride adds European touch

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - European import Scarlett's Pride adds some intrigue to Friday's featured fourth race at Woodbine, an $80,000 optional claimer at six furlongs on the grass.

Scarlett's Pride, a 3-year-old by of 1996 Canadian International winner Singspiel, won her maiden second time out in June of 2005 in France. She subsequently finished fifth competing against males in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin, but could manage only a seventh-place finish against her own sex in a Group 3 event in August of 2005.

This year, Scarlett's Pride has a win and a second-place finish from three starts. She captured an allowance over about seven furlongs May 30, and most recently ran second on June 18 in a listed stakes in Germany, her first appearance outside France.

Scarlett's Pride will compete on Lasix for the first time on Friday, with Jim McAleney riding for trainer Reade Baker.

The other fillies and mares in the body of the race are Greeley's Flame, Becky Sharp, La Salle Glory, Cat in the Tree, and If Moma Aint Happy. Runaway Sunshine was entered for the main track only.

Greeley's Flame, trained by Mac Benson, has taken 4 of 5 starts this year. She won her maiden in a romp in her June 9 season opener, but was far back in a subsequent allowance.

Greeley's Flame captured two consecutive five-furlong dashes by a half-length after breaking from the 1-hole over the inner dirt track in July. The first score came over $50,000 claimers, and the second was at the first allowance category. She is coming off a decisive tally in a $62,500 optional claimer on the Polytrack.

Greeley's Flame has never competed on the grass, and has little turf breeding. Apprentice Michelle Rainford retains the mount, and is 6 for 10 at the meeting riding for Benson.

Becky Sharp won her turf debut going seven furlongs against $62,500 opposition July 1. She set a sizzling pace before weakening in the Grade 3 Royal North Stakes Aug. 7 and was recently a prominent fourth in the restricted Belle Geste Stakes.

Cat in the Tree was claimed from her last start for $40,000 at Ellis Park on Aug. 24, when she finished a wide third in an optional claimer. She won at that level earlier.

If Moma Aint Happy won her first three starts at this stand, including a pair of optional claimers on the old main track. Her lone grass effort resulted in a fading fifth-place finish here last October.