Stranger Things looking to rebound

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes-placed Stranger Things had a promising 2-year-old campaign last year before going to the sidelines, and she could be ready to put her best hoof forward in Friday's Woodbine feature, a six-furlong allowance for Ontario-sired females.

Stranger Things, a 3-year-old trained by Lorne Richards, won her maiden in a romp second time out at 2, in her first start after being sold to owner K.K. Sangara. She subsequently ran third in the six-furlong Victorian Queen but could only manage sixth next time out going long in the South Ocean, another stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Stranger Things was idle for 11 months after ending up fifth last November in the Ontario Lassie Stakes. She reappeared Oct. 24 in an Ontario-sired allowance sprint, finishing a close fifth as the lukewarm favorite.

Stranger Things has a license to improve in her second start back, especially since Richards possesses solid numbers second time off a long layoff. Tyler Pizarro is scheduled to ride her for the first time.

Lady Elena, a 4-year-old trained by Brian Lynch, is surprisingly winless since her runaway maiden victory in her season opener in June, and has burned a ton of money during that time. She bounced in her next appearance but then rebounded by running second with a career-high 80 Beyer Speed Figure in a seven-furlong allowance on Aug. 1.

After another runner-up placing, Lady Elena seemed poised to break through in her last start, but she finished a flat fifth in that seven-furlong allowance. Her entrymate that day, Fabric, also missed the board, which created show payoffs that only a bridge-jumper could make happen.

Moonlit Beauty lacked room along the inside through the stretch before ending up fourth Sept. 12 in the one-mile La Prevoyante Stakes on turf. She also had some trouble when seventh in her next outing, which came over yielding ground in the nine-furlong Carotene Stakes. Moonlit Beauty is shortening up off a flat effort in a two-turn allowance on Polytrack, and this will be her first try with blinkers.

Executive Star came up a head short after a four-wide stalking journey in a similar allowance Oct. 24. She graduated the time before in a turf sprint.

Moonlight Desire broke a bit slowly before rallying on the outside to finish third behind Executive Star on Oct. 24.

D'wild Lady has been a minor player at this allowance level since finishing second in her season debut in a $40,000 conditioned claimer.