Spin the King primed for a good effort in sprint feature
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Spin the King ended a long slump a month ago when he triumphed in his first start as a gelding, and he could strike again in Friday’s Woodbine headliner. The six-furlong sprint for non-winners of three combines Ontario-sired allowance stock with $40,000 claimers, and Spin the King fits the Ontario-sired criterion.
Spin the King graduated in the 2013 Clarendon Stakes early in his career and then placed in several other restricted stakes at 2. The sky was not the limit for him, however, as he went winless in seven outings last year, the highlight of which was a neck loss on the grass in the Bold Ruckus Stakes.
Spin the King came off a seven-month layoff as a new gelding May 30, when he led throughout an allowance for non-winners of two. The runner-up from that six-furlong dash returned to prevail at the same Ontario-sired allowance category.
Spin the King has changed trainers since his comeback, going from Brian Lynch to Abraham Katryan, who has excellent numbers with new acquisitions. Alan Garcia retains the mount on the Joe Stritzl-owned son of Giant Gizmo.
KEY CONTENDERS
Spin the King (Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-65)
◗ His two recent five-furlong works were among the fastest of the day, and he appears to be ready for another strong showing. The questions handicappers must ponder are how he will cope with the other speed in the field, and is he worth playing at a chalky price?
Imperial Dream (Last 3 Beyers: 72-57-74)
◗ He notched wins in his first two starts last year at 2, most notably the restricted Vandal Stakes, but hasn’t found the mark since. He was rejuvenated at this level June 12, when he reversed his speed style and closed wide for second behind a sharp Le Vent.
Few White Hairs (Last 3 Beyers: 67-72-49)
◗ He returned immediate dividends in his debut off the $20,000 claim June 12, when he finished third behind Le Vent and Imperial Dream after saving ground over an outside-biased track.
Dash of Dazzle (Last 3 Beyers: 64-75-81)
◗ He has regressed since winning his first outing of the meet with an explosive stretch rally, but the drop from first-level allowance company should be just what the doctor ordered.
Red Fever (Last 3 Beyers: 55-77-65)
◗ He had been idle for a year when finishing sixth after attending the pace in the aforementioned race won by Le Vent. Will he need one more to get dead fit?