Stealcase, Patrioticandproud loom large for Casse
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Leading trainer Mark Casse sends out the powerful one-two punch of Stealcase and Patrioticandproud in a tough third-level optional claimer on Friday at Woodbine.
Stealcase captured the Grade 3 Ontario Derby during his productive 3-year-old campaign in 2012. That race was contested over the 1 1/8-mile distance of Friday’s feature. He was a minor player in two starts on dirt this year in stakes at Churchill and Indiana Grand.
Justin Stein has the mount on Stealcase. He is not coupled with Patrioticandproud, who will be ridden by a hot Patrick Husbands.
Two starts back, Patrioticandproud led throughout a 1 1/4-mile optional claimer that was taken off the turf. He was protected then and will compete with an $80,000 claiming price Friday.
Patrioticandproud set a rapid pace before fading to fourth July 1 in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes, which has become a key race. The victorious Red Rifle returned to take the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga, and the second- and third-place finishers, Florida Won and Pender Harbour, subsequently ran one-two in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup.
The headliner is the eighth race on a solid nine-race card that has two turf events.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stealcase (Last 3 Beyers: 83-88-44)
◗ His synthetic-track form is spotty, but he would be a force to be reckoned with on anything close to his best performance. Don’t be surprised if he runs a big one in his third appearance following an extended layoff.
Patrioticandproud (Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-85)
◗ The steady 6-year-old has found the mark only five times in 34 starts. Two of his 11 runner-up finishes came in Grade 2 stakes on grass in Southern California.
◗ His versatility is enviable, and it will be interesting to see if he continues to employ front-running tactics. If so, then he could link up on the lead with the imposing Midnight Aria, who is no slouch when he’s on his game.
Midnight Aria (Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-93)
◗ He has scored only once since his memorable win over a speed-conducive Polytrack in the 2013 Queen’s Plate. He’s back in action just 12 days after the Seagram Cup, in which he dueled three wide for the lead before fading to seventh.
Chris’ Brew (Last 3 Beyers: 89-84-72)
◗ He cleared the first two allowance conditions in his two most recent excursions, which included a neck win over Conquest Cobra traveling 1 1/8 miles.
◗ Leading rider Eurico Da Silva retains the mount for trainer Kevin Attard. They are a combined 14 for 43 at the meet.