Two appear prime factors in Royal North prep

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The fresh mares Hello Maggie May and Anne’s Purse could both be a factor in Friday’s seventh race at Woodbine, which is the prep for the Aug. 2 Royal North Stakes. A field of eight was drawn for the open allowance, which will be run over six furlongs on the grass, for a purse of $91,100.

Hello Maggie May had a useful 2009 for trainer Roger Attfield, during which she banked more than $100,000. The highlight of that campaign was her determined half-length tally in the seven-furlong Belle Geste Stakes in August.

Hello Maggie May changed barns this year, going to trainer Mike Doyle, who sent her out to finish a wide fourth in her season opener June 19 in the seven-furlong Zadracarta Stakes. Chantal Sutherland, who was aboard for her Belle Geste victory, has the mount on Friday.

Anne’s Purse is coming off a fifth-place finish in her first appearance of the year in the restricted Zadracarta, in which she flattened out in the final furlong.

Anne’s Purse captured the five-furlong Rainbow Connection Stakes on the Fort Erie turf last summer, two starts after taking her season debut in an optional claimer here on the Polytrack.

Anne’s Purse has tactical speed, and with the temporary rail in the outermost lane, it could be to her advantage, unless she gets softened up in a pace battle with longshot Greenbackhasvalue.

Rob Landry will get a leg up on Anne’s Purse from trainer Earl Barnett.

Mullins Beach will also making her second start of the year, after trailing the 10-horse field as the second choice in the Zadracarta. She banked more than $200,000 in 2009, during which she won the La Voyageuse Stakes on Polytrack and the Ontario Damsel Stakes on the grass.

Much Obliged, like Mullins Beach, is trained by Malcolm Pierce.

Much Obliged wound up third in the prep for the Nassau Stakes, the last time that she saw action May 16. The highlight of her career was a come-from-behind score in the 2008 American 1000 Guineas at Arlington.

Glitter Rox is winless since her registering a 15-1 upset in last year’s Grade 3 Royal North. She came wide from mid-pack to finish a decent third in the Zadracarta, behind front-running Moonlit Beauty and favored Impossible Time.

Mommie Whiz ran hot and cold over the Fair Grounds grass last winter. She was recently third in Satin and Lace Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.