Synthetic lover Flipcup sharp for Ontario Matron
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Flipcup will look to continue her strong run on synthetic surfaces in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Matron Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.
Flipcup has won her last three starts over synthetic surfaces, including two graded stakes. Overall, Flipcup is 5 for 7 on synthetics and has never finished outside of the top three. Flipcup kicked off her 2016 campaign with a victory in the Grade 3 Arlington Matron on Polytrack at Arlington Park on May 28. Another familiar Woodbine name, Brooklynsway, finished third in that event.
Based in New York with trainer Bill Mott, Flipcup has won four of her six starts at Woodbine, including both of her starts here last season. She captured the Classy ‘n Smart Stakes at this distance Sept. 27 and won the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on Oct. 31.
Luis Contreras was aboard for Flipcup’s victory in the Maple Leaf Stakes and has the mount again Sunday.
Key Contenders
Flipcup, by Milwaukee Brew
Last 3 Beyers: 92-68-92
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Mott is just 1 for 17 in graded stakes at Woodbine over the past five years, with the lone winner being Flipcup in last year’s Maple Leaf Stakes.
Moon Rainbow, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 91-86-85
◗ She looks to be the controlling speed of the race off her fourth-place finish on turf in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes in her most recent start May 29.
◗ In her 2016 debut April 30, she finished second to 2014 Canadian champion Strut the Course in an allowance race on Tapeta and earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Nassau Stakes winner Lexie Lou was third in that event.
Hot Kiss, by Philanthropist
Last 3 Beyers: 86-80-80
◗ She rides a five-race win streak into this spot, with four of those wins at this distance.
◗ Hot Kiss stalked a slow pace and rallied to win the Trillium Stakes in her most recent start June 19.
◗ She makes her graded stakes debut here.
Miss Chatelaine, by Pulpit
Last 3 Beyers: 94-87-93
◗ She’ll make her first start over a synthetic surface off a third-place finish in an allowance on turf at Belmont Park on June 23.
◗ Like Mott, trainer Christophe Clement has struggled in graded stakes at Woodbine. He’s just 1 for 15 in such races over the past five years, according to DRF Formulator.
Victoria Stakes for juveniles
Earlier on the card, the $125,000 Victoria Stakes for 2-year-olds will be run over six furlongs on Tapeta. Lokinforpursemonee was on the wrong side of a photo finish with Pachi Cruze in his career debut in the Frost King Stakes on June 26 and will run back in the Victoria. Her trainer, John Ross, has strong numbers with 2-year-olds and second-time maiden starters.
Junket recorded a 71 Beyer in his debut victory July 1 over 4 1/2 furlongs. Trained by Nick Gonzalez, he will get the services of leading rider Eurico Da Silva.
A pair of first-time starters will make their debuts in the Victoria. State of Honor shows a strong work tab for trainer Mark Casse, while Arcen, a $145,000 yearling purchase at last October’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale, has been working regularly since April for trainer Mike De Paulo.
Also in the field are Tale of Ronin, Dahog, Jurojin, and Hunts Bay.