Spirit of Caledon finds friendlier spot after couple of runs at top level

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Spirit of Caledon, a refugee from the Canadian Triple Crown, returns from a freshening in Friday’s eighth race, a nine-furlong nonwinners-of-two for Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers.

Three weeks after graduating in his second race of the meet, Spirit of Caledon rallied for third in a first-level optional claimer June 4. Trainer Pat Parente took a shot by running him in the $1 million Queen’s Plate on July 2, and the gelding outran his 74-1 odds by finishing seven lengths back in sixth after a four-wide trip.

Spirit of Caledon also finished sixth in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, but he was beaten nearly 20 lengths. That effort shouldn’t be held against him because it was on dirt.

On the eve of the much-anticipated Woodbine Mile Day, Friday’s nine-race card begins at 1 p.m. Eastern.

:: Get bonus PPs for Saturday’s Woodbine Mile card

KEY CONTENDERS

Spirit of Caledon, by Mike Fox

Last 3 Beyers: 53-87-72

◗ Patrick Husbands will ride him for the first time. He has a win, a second, and a third from five mounts at the meet for Parente, who is 1 for 11 with 31-60-day comebackers in synthetic routes over the past five years.

Cenar, by Society’s Chairman

Last 3 Beyers: 61-70-71

◗ He finished lapped onto the winner in two straight races at this level prior to a subpar showing most recently on turf. He was impeded at the break in that race and tried to mount a wide bid from far back.

◗ Sunny Singh, who was aboard for the gelding’s maiden win, retains the mount for trainer Mike DePaulo.

The Accuser, by Flower Alley

Last 3 Beyers: 57-75-77

◗ He was in solid turf form prior to a 10th-place finish in an open first-level allowance on the turf Aug. 13. His Tapeta races weren’t bad, and he could make some noise for trainer Stuart Simon, who’s having a career year.

Daily Brew, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 69-67-76

◗ He nearly won an open allowance at a big price on Queen’s Plate Day, but the 4-year-old failed to duplicate that performance while finishing second and third in two subsequent races at this class.

Artistico, by Niigon

Last 3 Beyers: 69-67-64

The 4-year-old has been a minor player at this level since getting claimed for $40,000 in May. He’s also returning from a summer vacation, and trainer Sylvain Pion has excellent numbers with layoff runners.