Siwa back against own type

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Siwa, who trounced older opponents three weeks ago in the Zadracarta Stakes, will meet a good group of Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's $150,000 Ontario Damsel Stakes at Woodbine.

Siwa, trained by Kevin Attard, captured her only 2-year-old start convincingly over a sloppy dirt track. She reappeared April 22 in the Star Shoot, an open six-furlong stakes, finishing a weary sixth after setting a sizzling pace.

Siwa subsequently romped in a restricted allowance May 11, but could manage to finish only fourth as the favorite two weeks later, in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes for Ontario-sired fillies.

"I was disappointed," said Attard. "I don't think she ran her best race."

Attard said he decided to supplement Siwa to the six-furlong Zadracarta after looking at the nominations for the race. After putting up slow fractions on an uncontested lead, she won comfortably.

"Some of the better horses nominated were going to be making their first start of the year," said Attard. "It was a chance to get some black type on her. It worked out well. She was quite impressive, and the time was decent."

Attard said he believes the Ontario Damsel distance - 6 1/2 furlongs - is within Siwa's range.

"I'm not worried about the distance," said Attard. "If you let her have her own way, she's tough to deal with, but if you go with her, you may pay the price."

Quiet Action should be among the favorites in the 10-horse field. She wound up second in two stakes at 2, including the Grade 3 Natalma on the grass.

Quiet Action has made three starts this year, the first of which was fourth-place finish in a turf allowance at Keeneland. After running second in the Fury Stakes on the Polytrack under Patrick Husbands, she was a close second to her stablemate Silky Smooth when she was ridden by John Velazquez in the Alywow Stakes on the grass June 10.

"From day one, Patrick has loved Quiet Action on the turf," said trainer Mark Casse. "She's run well every time that she's run on the turf. As a 2-year-old, she was a little on the light side, but she's thickened up a lot and has really matured as a 3-year-old. She's doing quite well right now."