Scotty's Model back on synthetic in Whimsical Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Norm McKnight has taken Woodbine by storm, winning with nine of his last 13 local starters dating to closing day last year. He will try to keep the ball rolling on the third day of the meet Saturday with Scotty’s Model in the $125,000 Whimsical Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

Following a sabbatical, Scotty’s Model reached full bloom last fall at 7, taking a three-race win streak into the Grade 2 Bessarabian. After mounting a wide bid, she lost that Nov. 26 stakes by a head to Moonlit Promise.

“She had some time off with an issue the previous year,” McKnight said. “She came back really good. She raced big in the [Bessarabian]. That’s why I took her to Oaklawn, to try and keep her fit and ready for the Ontario Sire Stakes here in the spring. If she can duplicate her form from last season, she’ll be very tough.”

Scotty’s Model finished far back over a sloppy strip in the Jan. 27 American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Park and ran seventh on a fast track there in her most recent start March 3 in the Spring Fever Stakes.

“I don’t think she liked the dirt at all,” McKnight said. “She wasn’t the same horse from the first time I breezed her over it down there. It surprised me.”

The Grade 3 Whimsical attracted seven others, including the Maryland shippers Jessica Krupnick and Sky Flower, who was supplemented.

KEY CONTENDERS

Scotty’s Model, by Mr. Scotty
Last 3 Beyers: 77-54-85

◗ The Bruno Schickedanz homebred has worked twice on the Tapeta this month. She is seeking her first stakes success.

Moonlit Promise, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 69-82-85

◗ She capped a three-race win streak in stakes in the seven-furlong Bessarabian, which made her a Sovereign Award finalist for champion female sprinter. She ran twice on the dirt at Gulfstream during the winter, finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie and seventh in the Grade 2 Inside Information.

Silent Sonet, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-76

◗ She romped on debut here last spring and worked bullets at Gulfstream during her winter vacation.

Let It Ride Mom, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 76-85-80

◗ The comebacker worked fast at Palm Meadows, Churchill, and on the local Tapeta, over which she’s a two-time stakes winner.

Just Be Kind, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 77-79-81

◗ She won her penultimate outing in the Minaret Stakes on dirt at Tampa.

Sugar Jones, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-62

◗ She wintered in Kentucky before breezing five-eighths in a sizzling 58.20 seconds here last Saturday.