Sooner Lunar, Gran Spirited look to end skids in turf sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – There are several win-shy runners who look teasingly good on Friday’s Woodbine card, including Sooner Lunar and Gran Spirited in the featured second race for nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main turf.

Sooner Lunar held on for third after getting softened up in a speed duel when returning from a layoff in a 7 1/2-furlong inner-turf event around two turns May 19. The turnback on Friday seems appropriate for the 4-year-old as he attempts to break out of an 11-race slump.

David Moran will ride Sooner Lunar again for owner C Scott Abbott Racing Stable and trainer Mike Doyle, who has impressive numbers second time off a layoff.

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Gran Spirited did the bulk of his damage two years ago at age 2. After earning his diploma second time out in a six-furlong maiden special on the main turf, he won the Simcoe Stakes on the Tapeta for graduates of Canadian yearling sales.

Gran Spirited was on the King’s Plate trail during the spring of 2023 before things went awry. After returning from a layoff last fall, he finished fourth and second at this level, before another second in his May 26 season opener.

Luis Contreras retains the mount on the Mark Casse-trained Gran Spirited, who is owned by Heste Sport Inc.

Zippy Gizmo is meeting older opposition again off a wide fourth behind Sooner Lunar in his return from a winter vacation. The winner of that event, No More Options, subsequently ran third in the Queenston Stakes, and runner-up One True Gentleman returned to beat Ontario-sired allowance stock.

Zippy Gizmo hasn’t hit the board in three starts since taking the Sept. 24 Bull Page and is being reunited with Kazushi Kimura, who gave him a great ride in that restricted turf stakes.

Moon Landing has run hot and cold since ending up 10th in the King’s Plate on Aug. 20. When dropping to $25,000 nonwinners-of-three claiming company off a five-month absence on May 12, the son of Nyquist finished a clear second with a 79 Beyer Speed Figure, which may have swayed trainer Kevin Attard to move him back up in class. Rafael Hernandez, who won five races last Sunday, retains the mount.

In the third race, Alicia’s Kid drew outside all the other speed in the starter/optional claimer and could assume a stalking position before making an effective bid. The durable 9-year-old finished second four straight times, fading to sixth most recently after going too fast up front. He wintered at Fair Grounds with trainer Steve Flint and hasn’t found the mark since October.

Longtime maiden Jack could finally put it all together in the eighth and final race for $10,000 claimers. The 6-year-old has placed in both of his appearances at the meet and doesn’t have much to beat in the one-mile inner-turf route. The dropping 3-year-old Lonhro’s Gamble could be his main competition.

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