Sky Mom brings north a big Beyer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The complexion of the $125,000 My Dear took a dramatic turn when Sky Mom, who is trained by Steve Asmussen, was supplemented to Monday's supporting feature here at Woodbine.

The My Dear, the first stakes race of the meeting for 2-year-old fillies, attracted a field of eight.

Sky Mom, a Kentucky-bred who is owned by Heather Stark, has raced three times, finishing second in her debut at Keeneland and then winning her maiden there and a first-level allowance at Churchill Downs.

That last five-furlong score netted Sky Mom a Beyer Speed Figure of 94, which is by far the best in the My Dear field.

"She's a very, very nice filly," said Asmussen. "She's run very fast, all three of her races."

Asmussen, whose large string includes a juvenile for just about every occasion, sent out Kodiak Kowboy to win the June 17 Victoria, the first 2-year-old stakes of the meeting, and he chose the My Dear for Sky Mom because of the surface.

"With her having success on Polytrack at Keeneland, I thought she was the best fit," said Asmussen.

Shaun Bridgmohan, who has been aboard Sky Mom in each of her outings, will break Sky Mom from post 7.

A solid local contingent headed by Executrix will attempt to ground Sky Mom.

Executrix, conditioned by Nick Gonzalez, set a track record of 51.88 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs in her front-running victory over Ontario-sired opposition here June 2. Her Beyer Speed Figure of 79 for that race is tops amongst the locals in the lineup.

In her only previous start, Executrix had finished third in an open 4 1/2-furlong maiden special.

"She got a lot of valuable experience out of that first race," said Gonzalez. "Second time she ran, she was just awesome. She was on cruise, and she broke the track record.

"And, she's just taken all forward steps since then."

Ray Sabourin retains the mount on Executrix, who will break from the outside.

The My Dear also includes a second invader in Lune Rouge, who won a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special for Illinois-breds in her debut on June 10 at Arlington Park.

Joe Kasperski trains Lune Rouge and Richard Dos Ramos picks up the mount.

Dancing Allstar, trained by Vancouver-based Terry Jordan, has been here since mid-May after winning her maiden over 3 1/2 furlongs in her only outing at Hastings on May 6. Todd Kabel rides.