Skywire looks ready to fire off the bench

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mark Casse will be holding an accomplished hand in Sunday’s featured second-level allowance/optional claimer at Woodbine when he runs Skywire, Helium, and Malibu Secret in the 1 1/16-mile event.

Skywire was Canada’s champion older male on the main track in 2020, when he captured the Grade 2 Eclipse and Grade 2 Autumn, both traveling 1 1/16 miles. He was campaigned sporadically last year and has been sidelined since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Dominion Day on July 1.

Skywire and Helium get to compete at this level because of the clause in the conditions allowing for nonwinners in the past year to start. Skywire has worked here every week since early April and could be ready to fire one of his better shots.

Helium took the Display Stakes here two years ago at 2 and was victorious in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby in March 2021. He’s winless in his last five outings, but was second to a razor-sharp Riptide Rock in his May 1 season opener here going seven furlongs.

“I thought Helium ran good, but I was a little disappointed,” Casse said regarding Helium’s comeback. “I thought he’d run a little better.”

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Stakes-placed Malibu Secret was a non-threatening fourth behind stablemate Chuck Willis when going five-eighths in his April 24 seasonal bow. He could lead the way in his first two-turn try in nearly three years, but the 8-year-old is questionable over the distance.

Trainer Kevin Attard sends out the comebackers Harlan Estate and Burning Man.

A first-time gelding, Harlan Estate ran in all three legs of the 2021 Canadian Triple Crown under Kazushi Kimura, finishing seventh in the Queen’s Plate, second in the Prince of Wales, and fourth in the Breeders’.

Rounding out the seventh-race field are Bright Devil, Sir Sahib, English Conqueror, and Theregoesjojo.

God of Love back in training

Casse said last year’s Canadian champion male 2-year-old God of Love is back in serious training following a setback and could still make the $1 million Queen’s Plate here Aug. 21.

Among his four juvenile starts, God of Love won the Cup and Saucer Stakes on turf and Grade 3 Grey on Tapeta. In his Feb. 12 season opener in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, the stretch-runner got away slowly before checking in sixth after a very wide trip.

“He hurt himself after his last start,” Casse said. “He had some time off, but he’s training really well right now. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to breeze him this weekend or the middle of next week. I’m not sure if I’m going to make the Queen’s Plate with him. We haven’t given up hope.

“I think he’s an extremely talented horse. His last race in the Sam Davis was good. He didn’t have the best of trips.”