Sweet Problem fits conditions

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes winners Sweet Problem and Spanish Decree are among the nine horses in Friday's Woodbine feature, a 6 1/2-furlong turf allowance.

The conditions of the race - for nonwinners of a first-place prize of $45,660 since July 1, other than in a maiden or claiming race - indicate it may have been written for Sweet Problem, who captured the 6 1/2-furlong Alywow Stakes here June 13. He earned $67,200 that day for owner K.K. Sangara and trainer Lorne Richards.

Sweet Problem went back to the main track for her next race July 3 in the 1 1/16-mile Hill 'n' Dale Stakes, and finished a distant second to My Lordship.

Sweet Problem has been absent since her sub-par showing in the Grade 3 Royal North Handicap on Aug. 2. She finished eighth in that six-furlong turf race, which has produced two next-out winners, including Hour of Justice, arguably the leading turf female at Woodbine.

Jim McAleney retains the mount on Sweet Problem, the lone 3-year-old in the lineup.

Spanish Decree, a 5-year-old with $677,301 in the bank, won two main-track stakes at 3, but is winless in eight starts this year while finishing second on four occasions, including back-to-back stakes at Fort Erie in July. She hasn't been a major factor in her three most recent outings.

Last time out here in the seven-furlong Seaway Stakes, Spanish Decree raced in a stalking position until mid-stretch and ended up fifth after getting bogged down on a dead rail.

Apprentice Corey Fraser takes over on Spanish Decree.

Clubay took the Center Stage Anne Stakes in her last start, leading all the way going 1 1/16 miles on the Fort Erie grass course. She has won 2 of her 4 grass attempts at this distance, and also has a solid record over the E.P Taylor turf course.

Kabul captured two seven-furlong allowances in July before running fourth here in the restricted Victoriana Stakes. She faced a tough classified allowance field over a sloppy track last out, and was a non-threatening fourth.

Whistling Maid finished second in both of her turf outings at the meeting, including the six-furlong Zadracarta Stakes. She figures to set the pace.

Whiletheiron'shot, a daughter of top grass sire Smart Strike, is making her turf debut. She hasn't run since January, but trainer Mark Frostad has a good record with similar comebackers.