Sprint sets up for stalkers

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - There is no shortage of speed in Thursday's Woodbine feature, and the table could be set for a couple of fresh stalkers, Santino's Honour and Intuition Magic, in the first-level allowance at five furlongs.

Santino's Honour was laid up for nearly a year before he competed in a six-furlong allowance Nov. 16. He stalked a lively pace then before fading to finish seventh in a tough field, which included the stakes-placed horse Grazette's Landing.

Santino's Honor is making his second start for trainer Paul Attard, who has won with 2 of 20 runners going second time off a layoff during the past two years. Justin Stein, Woodbine's hottest rider, has the mount.

The Kentucky shipper Intuition Magic lacked room nearing the eighth pole before closing for third last time out in a $25,000 claimer at Keeneland, where he also finished a troubled fifth in an Oct. 9 allowance.

Intuition Magic, in the third race of his form cycle, is making his first start off the claim by trainer Michael Pino, who has posted respectable numbers in that category.

Intuition Magic came from just off the pace to capture a $40,000 conditioned claimer here June 30, when he was trained by Wesley Ward.

Whatwillbewillbe could be the dominant front-runner in the feature, even though he's exiting a double-digit loss in a six-furlong allowance. He romped in back-to-back low-level conditioned claimers late in the summer, when he resided in the high-percentage Terry Jordan barn, and is making his second start off the claim by trainer Dominic Polsinelli.

Tahana was coming off a successful stint at Fort Erie when he wired $10,000 opposition on a clear lead with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure here Nov. 14. He will encounter a more taxing pace scenario than what he's used to here.

Tugaske sports many gaps in his past performance lines, and has obviously had some issues, but he has scored twice in just four appearances at the meeting. He came up empty in the stretch after leading for a half-mile in a recent $40,000 claimer won by Ghostly Concerto.

Ghostly Concerto has run three solid races since being purchased privately by trainer Mike Wright. He is light on Beyers for the caliber of competition, but his tactical speed might enable him to hit the top four.

Dundas is mired in a slump and has his work cut out for him.