Split the Sea has questions she must answer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sam-Son Farm’s Split the Sea is the class of Friday’s eighth race at Woodbine, a first-level allowance with a $75,000 claiming option, but there are questions about how she’ll handle a change of surface and an eight-month layoff in the seven-furlong sprint on the Tapeta.

Split the Sea made both of her starts here last summer on the grass. She came from near the rear of a 10-horse field to land a six-furlong maiden special by three lengths on debut July 21.

Just over a month later, Split the Sea was the 9-5 second choice in the allowance prep for the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes. After getting bumped early in that seven-furlong allowance, she raced wide throughout in a stalking position before fading to fourth behind future Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Gadot, who is a longshot in Friday’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.

Split the Sea wintered at Tampa with trainer Malcolm Pierce, where she worked quickly on the dirt prior to posting three half-mile breezes in April on the Tapeta here at Woodbine.

Six other 3-year-old fillies were entered in the seven-furlong feature, including a trio of winter-raced runners.

KEY CONTENDERS

Split the Sea, by Stormy Atlantic

Beyers: 57-63

DRF Formulator fact: Over the past five years, Pierce has a 25 percent strike rate with horses returning from a layoff of at least 180 days, with a return on investment of $2.41.

Fairy Hill, by Sligo Bay

Last 3 Beyers: 65-50-55

◗ She was claimed by trainer Norm McKnight for $25,000 in November, after which she wintered at Oaklawn. Her first two outings there were forgettable, but she finished second most recently in a $30,000 claiming route for nonwinners of two.

◗ McKnight, who led the Woodbine standings with seven wins from 12 starters after the first four days of the meet, has solid numbers with turnbacks.

L. A. House, by Winslow Homer

Last 3 Beyers: 65-61-62

◗ A consistent middle claimer on turf, she is competing on a synthetic surface for the first time in her second start off a $20,000 claim. She figures to possesses a fitness edge on most of these, which could make up for the abrupt class hike from an optional starter.

Safe to Say, by Justin Phillip

Last 3 Beyers: 50-50-63

◗ She wintered in Ocala with trainer Mark Casse after ending up sixth in the Dec. 3 Ontario Lassie Stakes, which came after a wide third-place finish in the slowly run Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

Midnight Flash, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 63-49-55

◗ She earned her diploma after closing from left field Dec. 9 when routing for the first time.

◗ Patrick Husbands replaces the suspended Eurico Da Silva on the Nick Gonzalez trainee.