Three getting class relief

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Abruptly, Mobil Unit, and Knave of Hearts, who were all unplaced in the Bold Ruckus Stakes, will get some class relief in Thursday's second race at Woodbine, a nonwinners-of-two allowance for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds.

Abruptly had a useful 2-year-old campaign under the guidance of trainer Don MacRae, who sent him out to win his maiden and finish third in an allowance. He didn't show much in three starts this year, but he had a troubled trip in his first turf attempt in the six-furlong Bold Ruckus.

Abruptly is strongly bred for stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree, and shouldn't mind moving out to 1 1/16 miles on Thursday. Justin Stein, who will ride him for the first time, is 1 for 3 aboard MacRae runners at the meet.

Mobil Unit did the bulk of his damage last year on the grass, over which he ran third in the Cup and Saucer Stakes and fourth in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes, after winning his maiden. Following a long layoff, he finished a flat fifth in a six-furlong allowance on Polytrack May 9, before ending up eighth as the favorite in the restricted Bold Ruckus.

"We took chips out of his knees at the end of last season, and I lost a bit of time with him," said trainer Mike Keogh, who has enlisted Jono Jones for the ride.

Knave of Hearts had a ground-saving trip en route to running seventh in the Bold Ruckus. He graduated the time before over seven furlongs on the Poly under apprentice Omar Moreno, who retains the mount.

Knave of Hearts is trying two turns for the first time, and is bred to handle middle distances. His trainer, Dave Cotey, won with 10 percent of his first-time routers during the past five years. The most famous of those horses was future Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

King of the Swamp was ninth in his season opener going long June 3. He breezed five-eighths in 1:01.40 June 16, and this will be his first start without blinkers.

Abogado graduated in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special for Ontario-sired stock Oct. 21, but hasn't shown much in the interim. He got away slowly before finishing far back when he came off the sidelines June 11.

Rounding out the field is the low-level maiden Outofretirement.