Sipping History could have tactical edge in turf dash
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Five-furlong turf sprints are among the most difficult races to handicap. They can be loaded with speed and look like they could set up for a stalker or closer, but the best front-runner often prevails.
Sipping History’s tactical speed could be an asset in Thursday’s featured five-furlong inner turf dash for nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers. Stakes-placed last year at 2 for trainer James Bentley Begg, she was a leading second in her April 25 season opener on the Tapeta.
Sipping History subsequently ran third after attending the pace in the five-furlong Georgian Bay Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies on the inner turf. Most recently at this level, she advanced from second on the turn to hit the front in early stretch before getting overhauled by favored Celebrity Ro in the final sixteenth. Following an inquiry, she disqualified from second to seventh for interference shortly after the break.
Keveh Nicholls will break Sipping History from post 4 in a seven-horse field.
Rule the Waves, Vegas Road, and Rose Fortune all want to be part of the pace.
Rule the Waves led until deep stretch when second in her June 5 season debut on the Tapeta. She went on to finish fifth in back-to-back first-level allowance/optional claimers, most recently after setting quick fractions going five furlongs on the inner course.
Sahin Civaci takes over on Rule the Waves for trainer Shelley Fitzgerald.
Vegas Road was placed second via disqualification when Sipping History had her number taken down July 20. She established a daylight lead from the outset in her latest on the Tapeta and looked the part of a winner in midstretch before fading late to fourth.
Ryan Munger retains the mount on Vegas Road for trainer Tara Neigel. They are a combed 3 for 11 at the meet.
Rose Fortune was softened up in a speed duel in her penultimate race against Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens. She led all the way at that level most recently in a five-furlong inner turf tilt under leading jockey Pietro Moran, who will ride her again for trainer Kevin Attard.
Rounding out the field are Definite Diva, Episode, and Artful Diamond.
Definite Diva was competitive in shorter turf sprints at Gulfstream and Monmouth in 2024-25 before owner/trainer Nick Nosowenko purchased her for $2,500 in February. The stalker/closer started four times here on the Tapeta this year without finding the mark, ending up a close fifth last time out at this level.
Episode is moving up off a runner-up placing versus $25,000 nonwinners-of-two company in her second race off the sidelines on the Tapeta.
Artful Diamond, a $25,000 maiden winner last fall at 2, missed the board in two minor stakes this year. This is her turf debut and her little-known sire, Town Prize, sired Grade 1 Woodbine Mile victor Town Cruise.
Post time for Thursday’s seven-race card is 3:10 p.m.
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