Silent Treat gets distance test in Victoriana Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Silent Treat will be charting unknown territory Saturday at Woodbine when she stretches out to 1 1/16 miles on turf in the $125,000 Victoriana Stakes for Ontario-bred fillies and mares.
Silent Treat notched two restricted stakes in front-running style last year, the six-furlong Ballade on Polytrack and the seven-furlong Zadracarta on the grass. She earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure in the Zadracarta while beating a solid field that included Smartyfly.
Silent Treat had been idle for nearly eight months heading into her season opener in this year’s Zadracarta on June 27. She got a stalking trip and finished second to Surtsey that day and has since worked two quick half-miles.
Trainer Scott Fairlie said Silent Treat shipped into Woodbine a little later than usual this year, which delayed her return to action.
“She had surgery last fall,” Fairlie said. “She’s been doing well. Her first race was very credible, and she’s training good now.”
Silent Treat hasn’t competed beyond seven furlongs, but Fairlie said he has no qualms about running the 5-year-old Silent Name mare over a middle distance.
“I think she’ll be able to handle it,” Fairlie said. “She’s more mature now. She gives us the impression that she’s going to be just fine.”
Sixteen Ontario-sired fillies and mares were entered in the Victoriana, but only 12 can start when the temporary rail is in the outermost lane 5. The four also-eligibles have earned the lowest amounts in purses among the 16.
KEY CONTENDERS
Silent Treat (Last 3 Beyers: 89-33-90)
◗ She drew well in post 4 but might have to deal with the upwardly mobile Clarkston Hope and Bear’s Pride on the lead if she employs an aggressive approach.
Clarkston Hope (Last 3 Beyers: 81-75-75)
◗ She won her last two allowance outings in gate-to-wire fashion on Polytrack, and this is her first try on grass. She is a daughter of Grade 2 turf stakes winner Strut the Stage, the sire of champion and Grade 2 Dance Smartly winner Strut the Course, who narrowly lost last year’s Victoriana.
Lynnessa (Last 3 Beyers: 80-78-63)
◗ The 6-year-old is coming off perhaps her best performance, a victory in a second-level optional claimer on Polytrack. She was previously a closing third in a slow-placed event at that level on grass that was won by Copper Kitten.
Paladin Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 69-80-79)
◗ She came up empty in the final furlong over yielding ground in the Zadracarta but was previously third behind Smartyfly in a 1 1/8-mile optional claimer. Her outside draw is a negative.