Turf sprint return spot for 'Love Me'
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The pick seven has been a stagnant wager at Woodbine in recent years. It has taken a long time for the pot to build up to a significant amount, and this year has been no exception.
After 28 racing days at the current meeting, the pick seven hasn't been won, and the carryover going into Wednesday's eight-race card is $31,315. You Will Love Me should be used on many tickets in the first leg, a $100,000 allowance/optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf, even though she hasn't started since Nov. 11.
You Will Love Me had a lucrative 2007 campaign here under the guidance of trainer Earl Barnett, who sent out Anne's Purse to win last Saturday's Lady Angela Stakes. You Will Love Me won 4 of 8 starts and $337,890 last year, including the seven-furlong Lady Angela.
You Will Love Me competed three times last year on the grass. After ending up second in the July 8 Ontario Damsel Stakes, she beat Ontario-sired opponents 2 1/2 weeks later in the Passing Mood Stakes. Her other grass race was a third-place finish in the La Prevoyante Stakes in September.
Eurico Rosa Da Silva, who rode Anne's Purse in the Lady Angela, has the mount on You Will Love Me. The Brazilian native was aboard for each of her 10 starts.
Also entered in the 6 1/2-furlong dash are Shawanaga, Quelle Beaute, Saoirse Cat, Star Operator, and The Queen's Stamp.
Quelle Beaute finished third with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in a $100,000 optional claimer in March at Gulfstream. After ending up fifth in a Keeneland allowance on April 6, she wound up seventh here in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes on the Polytrack.
Shawanaga is unbeaten in three grass starts and is making her first turf start since last year. She graduated second time out over seven furlongs in June and then doubled up in a July 8 allowance before taking a second-level allowance by disqualification in August.
Saoirse Cat is winless since fall 2006 and is coming off a dull try in the Grade 3 Hendrie Stakes. Three of her four wins have come on turf.