Secret Passage should like turf in optional claimer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pin Oak Stable’s Secret Passage takes a tremendous turf pedigree into his first turf start on Friday at Woodbine, and the 10-furlong distance of the third-level optional claimer seems within his range.

Secret Passage made his first eight starts on dirt at three different tracks, including a fourth last August in the Prelude Stakes and a fifth in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby in September. Secret Passage had a successful winter campaign at Oaklawn, winning a second-level optional claimer from off the pace Feb. 26 before ending up fifth behind the gifted Mor Spirit in the Essex Handicap.

In his first start for trainer Malcolm Pierce here April 29, Secret Passage finished a distant fifth behind Canadian champion Are You Kidding Me in a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Tapeta. Leading rider Eurico Da Silva retains the mount on the 4-year-old.

The excellent eight-race card also features a second-level optional claimer going long on the Tapeta in which Grade 3 stakes winner Gamble’s Ghost should be favored in her return to the local scene.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Secret Passage, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 75-92-88

◗ Classic winner Curlin has sired 13 percent turf winners. Secret Passage hails from a mare who’s produced eight turf winners from 10 starters on that surface. Pierce possesses solid numbers with first-time turf runners.

Bangkok, by Street Hero
Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-81

◗ He earned his 15 minutes of fame when upsetting Melmich last out Dec. 4 in the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes, a 1 3/4-mile marathon on the Tapeta. The versatile 6-year-old beat $40,000 conditioned claimers on the grass in his 2016 opener in June and has had some stamina-oriented drills to get ready for his return.

Where’s the Widget, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 83-76-89

◗ The probable pacesetter faded to seventh when favored in his season opener in the restricted Steady Growth Stakes on the Tapeta. He can handle either Woodbine surface when he’s on his game, but his last two efforts were lackluster. Luis Contreras inherits the mount from Da Silva.

Conquest Boogaloo, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 83-68-79

◗ The classy 5-year-old ended a 10-race losing skid when notching a second-level optional claimer on the main track here May 17. His best of four turf starts was a runner-up placing behind Danish Dynaformer in the 2015 Breeders’ Stakes.

Pumpkin Rumble, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 82-84-90

◗ The win-shy chestnut finished second to Conquest Boogaloo when favored in his local debut May 17.