Trip to Kentucky possible for Meadow Gem

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Meadow Gem, who won her first four starts before finishing second against older fillies and mares here in the Sept. 2 Seaway, could make her next start at Keeneland Oct. 10 in the $100,000 Raven Run, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

"We'll also nominate her to the Highlander," said Tiller, who trains Meadow Gem and is a co-owner of the Florida-bred, "but she'd be facing older horses, going six furlongs."

The Highlander, a Grade 3 handicap worth $150,000, will be run here Sept. 30.

Win City tries to make the grade

Win City, last seen when winning the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie July 22, will return to action here in Saturday's Grade 3 Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Handicap.

Win City, who was recording his fourth stakes score of the season in the Wales, tuned up for the $107,200, 1 1/8 mile McLaughlin with a five-furlong drill of 1:00.80 under regular rider Constant Montpellier here last Sunday.

"We wanted a little more out of him," said Tiller, noting that Win City's workouts generally are of a more leisurely fashion. "If you don't leave the pole running with him, he doesn't work fast.

Trained by Bob Tiller for Frank DiGiulio Jr. and the Estate of Frank DiGiulio, Win City will be seeking his fifth stakes win of the season but his first in a graded stakes here Saturday.

"He hasn't run for seven weeks, and he's going to have to carry 124 pounds against some nice horses," said Tiller.

A spot for Rare Friends

Rare Friends, unbeaten in three starts for her owner/trainer Tiller and partner Frank DiGiulio Jr., could make his next appearance in the seven-furlong Swynford here Sept. 23.

"That's a good spot for him," said Tiller, who has sent out Rare Friends to win the Simcoe and Vandal in his last two outings. "He's already won at the distance.

"He'll be running against American-breds but he's a very good colt. I'm very pleased with him."

Blades Hill among favorites

Blades Hill should be among the favorites in Thursday's Woodbine feature, a 6 1/2-furlong preliminary allowance on the grass.

Blades Hill dueled up front through quick fractions en route to a two-length win the only time he tried the grass in a seven-furlong maiden special weight dash here July 1. He was beaten a pole in his lone subsequent outing, when trainer Phil England took him to Saratoga for an Aug. 25 allowance on dirt.

Robert Landry will ride Blades Hill, a son of Seeking the Gold and Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Desert Stormer.

Captain Wallstreet, victorious in his recent debut on the main track, should be well backed in the nine-horse field. A son of With Approval, Captain Wallstreet has a good turf pedigree and should handle the surface switch. Mike Wright Jr. trains.

- additional reporting by Ron Gierkink