Silent Poet could bounce in Play the King

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Silent Poet made his season debut a winning one in an open allowance that served as the prep for the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes. Will he regress in Saturday’s $175,000 Play the King, a seven-furlong tuneup for next month’s Grade 1 Woodbine Mile?

Trained by Nick Gonzalez for Stronach Stable, Silent Poet won last year’s one-mile Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario-sired sophomores on the grass. He subsequently ran third against older opposition in the seven-furlong Overskate Stakes, and then capped his season with a second to Kingsport in another Ontario-sired stakes on Tapeta, the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton.

On July 21, following a layoff of nearly eight months, Silent Poet fought for the lead before holding on for a half-length tally over El Tormenta. Fifth-place finisher American Guru exited that 6 1/2-furlong turf dash to wire the field in a second-level optional claimer on the inner turf.

“It was probably the best race of his life,” Gonzalez said of Silent Poet. “It was a tough field. He came out of it good. It’s a step up for an Ontario-sired horse, but it’s the right time to do it. The horse is doing great.”

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The Play the King will be contested in lane 3 over the main turf course as the ninth of 11 races.

KEY CONTENDERS

Silent Poet, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 95-89-89

◗ He breezed five-eighths in 1:01.40 last Saturday under jockey Gary Boulanger, who may opt to employ the gelding’s tactical speed if the swift Sable Island assumes his usual position on the lead. Carmenootz also possesses early foot.

El Tormenta, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 95-87-98

◗ He does his best running after being covered up early, as evidenced by his victory in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup over seven furlongs June 1. He subsequently ran fourth in the Grade 1 Highlander, and then emerged from traffic to rally for second behind Silent Poet most recently over a course that favored speed.

Curlin’s Honor, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-97

◗ After closing for third in the Connaught Cup, he seemed headed for victory June 29 in the Grade 2 King Edward, only to idle late and finish second after hitting the front too soon. Eurico Da Silva will ride the Mark Casse-trained 4-year-old for the first time.

“I’ve been watching him, and I’ve wanted to ride him for a long time,” Da Silva said.” I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. He’s a very talented horse.”

Sable Island, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 90-95-74

◗ He is fresh off a second to champion Pink Lloyd in the Grade 3 Vigil.

◗ He bombed in his lone turf start, but that came early in his career and he certainly deserves another chance on the grass.