Senior set to convene in Woodbine claimer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The career of the popular gray gelding Coleyville is winding down. Woodbine has barred 10-year-olds and up from competing next year, and 10-year-old Coleyville goes postward with a chance to hit the board in Friday’s fifth race for $7,500 claimers.

Owner-trainer Ted Knight claimed Coleyville for $15,000 in November 2019. Over the years, he has won four races with him, which were all on Tapeta over the 1 1/16-mile distance of Friday’s race.

Coleyville was protected by waiver when prevailing in his May 31 season opener against $7,500 opposition. After missing the board in two summer excursions, he finished a close fourth most recently Sept. 20 behind current rivals Mambointheforest and Timeskip. Runner-up Chancel came right back to win a starter/optional claimer with a 75 Beyer Speed Figure.

Coleyville is dropping some weight with the hot apprentice Austin Adams gaining the mount. He worked five-eighths in a quick 1:00.40 on Oct. 23, 10 days after breezing a half-mile in 49.20 over the training track.

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Nine-year-olds Mambointheforest, Timeskip, Cupid’s Claws, and Argentium are also on the brink of mandatory local retirement.

After winning the Sept. 20 race at 30-1, Mambointheforest was a non-threatening seventh after a ground-saving trip in another $7,500 claimer. Jason Hoyte will ride him again for trainer Ron Sadler, who has won at a 20 percent clip at the meet, one of his better years.

Timeskip has failed to find the mark in seven starts this season, but both of his races in September were good. He faded from an inside-stalking position to end up fifth most recently when stretching out to nine furlongs. Justin Stein retains the mount for trainer Renee Kierans.

Cupid’s Claws had been competing regularly for over a year before heading to the sidelines in July, when he finished a belated fifth in a starter/optional claimer. Trainer Brad Dunslow has had a third from two 61- to 180-day layoff runners since be began training this year.

Argentium was in a tailspin for quite a while before he rallied inside for second in a recent $7,500 conditioned contest won by Good Soldier.

Good Soldier is moving up off that victory, his second win in a row under Keveh Nicholls. The 65 Beyer he received is well below the Beyer par of 75 for this level.

Spring Mountain won two lower claimers on the dirt at Fort Erie in a week in October after trailing in Mambointheforest’s September score. Trainer Sandy McPherson boasts solid numbers with horses exiting a victory, and Spring Mountain has won three races over Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Confusing is the one they all have to catch. The need-the-lead type has won three times at the meet, all under Sofia Vives, earning a 73 Beyer most recently when prevailing in a nine-furlong route. His hot trainer, Angus Buntain, won the Frost King Stakes with Unbridled Weather and the Overskate Stakes with Hunt Master the last two weeks.

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