Seeking the Carat in fine form

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Seeking the Carat, who is coming off a solid second-place finish over six furlongs on turf here Oct. 9, appears to have found a favorable spot in Thursday's $71,300 feature at Woodbine. A field of eight has been entered for the 6 1/2-furlong race, a third-level allowance with an optional claiming clause of $80,000.

Seeking the Carat is entered for $77,500 and will be looking for his second win in four starts since being claimed for $57,500 by owner-trainer John Cardella here Aug. 6.

Seeking the Carat won at 6 1/2 furlongs in a race taken off the turf Sept. 14, stalking the pace on his way to a 1 1/4-length victory.

Cardella said he was surprised how well Seeking the Carat ran on turf in his last start, a race Cardella was hoping would come off the turf. "He doesn't have a history of good turf form," he said.

Seeking the Carat, a British Columbia-bred 4-year-old, was entered for last Wednesday but was scratched by Cardella due to the prospect of sloppy going.

"If it's not too sloppy, I think he'll do some running on Thursday," said Cardella.

Gerry Olguin, who has piloted Seeking the Carat to each of his six career victories, retains the mount.

Other leading contenders Thursday include stakes winners I Thee Wed, Slew's Saga, and Accountforthegold. I Thee Wed is entered for $80,000 and makes his first start for a claiming price.

Thursday's 10-race card also includes a pair of six-furlong allowance races for fillies and mares.

Miss Attractive and Candy Box, a Stronach Stable entry, should attract plenty of support in the third race, an open first-level allowance which attracted a field of 10.

Trainer Justin Nixon will send out Miss Attractive, who was a very impressive winner of a maiden special weight "B" race here Oct. 19. Bobby Frankel is the trainer of Candy Box, who has not seen action since finishing fourth as the favorite in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes here May 8.

Jono Jones retains the mount on Miss Attractive, while David Clark takes over aboard Candy Box.

Jeansmiledonme, who graduated in convincing fashion in an Ontario-sired maiden special here Oct. 29, looks to double up in the ninth race, a restricted first-level allowance. Emma Wilson has picked up the mount on Jeansmiledonme, who is trained by Wayne Green.