Two Out Hero should have no problem on turf in Soaring Free

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Two Out Hero, who hit it out of the park when debuting on the Tapeta, will take his talents to the turf in Saturday’s $150,000 Soaring Free, one of two 6 1/2-furlong turf stakes for 2-year-olds on the King’s Plate undercard, along with the $150,000 Catch a Glimpse for fillies.

Trained by Kevin Attard for Gold Square, Two Out Hero was bet down to favoritism in a six-furlong maiden special that was switched from turf to the Tapeta on a sweltering day July 13. He set moderate fractions on an uncontested lead and then drew off in the stretch to prevail by 12 lengths with a 74 Beyer Speed Figure.

“It was nice to see him run to his works when he made his debut,” Attard said. “I didn’t expect him to win like he did.”

Attard felt that the son of 16 percent turf sprint sire War Front and a Liam’s Map mare should make a smooth transition to grass racing.

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“He’s bred for turf,” Attard said. “We’ve had him on it already on the training turf. He’s worked just as good on the turf as he has on the synthetic. That shouldn’t be a problem. I think he’s a horse with a lot of potential. Obviously, we’re hoping he could [go onto] bigger things. I wouldn’t mind getting back to Del Mar” for the Breeders’ Cup.

Trainer Mark Casse sends out Casson, Jupiter, and Rude Procedure in the nine-horse field.

Unbeaten in two Tapeta starts, the speedy Casson defeated Jupiter and Rude Procedure when taking the July 12 Victoria Stakes convincingly with a 78 Beyer.

Jupiter and Rude Procedure both won at first asking on the Tapeta before placing in the 5 1/2-furlong Victoria. Among the Casse trio, Casson arguably has the best turf pedigree.

Casson and Longhi are both by Caravaggio, a Group 1-winning sprinter in Europe who has sired a whopping 21 percent winners in turf sprints.

Longhi ships in from Maryland after winning his debut from left field in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special that was moved from the turf to dirt at Colonial on July 18.

“The game plan was to go down there and race on the grass, and we felt pretty good about it,” trainer Graham Motion said. “It came off the grass, and he had always breezed pretty well on the dirt, so we decided to take a shot. He was very impressive and here we are. I think he will appreciate going farther. I would be surprised if he is not a grass horse.”

Argos and Jutland were both debut winners on turf in the United States. Both Baytown Dreamer and Mo Dodgy also are exiting a maiden victory on the grass south of the border.

Catch a Glimpse

Attard saddles the promising maiden Dyna in the Catch a Glimpse, which attracted seven others.

Attard nominated Meilani and Dyna, but ultimately decided to run just Dyna off her nose loss at first asking against the boys in a six-furlong maiden special on the main turf July 27.

“I just think Dyna might be the one who wants to stretch out a little bit more,” Attard said. “I think she deserves a chance. Another jump, basically, and she was a winner. She had a nice breeze on the weekend. I think this could be a good opportunity for her.”

Attard’s cousin, trainer Steve Chircop, entered Twist of Sugar off a front-running fourth in her six-furlong opener on the turf July 26.

“She was on the grass for the first time, which wasn’t the original plan,” Chircop said. “We had entered her in some races earlier that didn’t go, but she was working very well – she’s the best 2-year-old that I have. She broke a bit slowly, which she has a habit of doing in the morning, and then within four jumps, she was on the lead pretty easily.

“Being on the lead as she was, with that long stretch, I think she was looking at the grandstand, too. This race is going a half-furlong farther, so I’m hoping we can ration her speed a little bit. I think if we do, she has as good a chance as anybody.”

Sweet Fusion and On My Time represent trainer Mark Casse, who has won the Catch a Glimpse twice, last year with the good Shifty.

Sweet Fusion should be well-backed off her professional first-out score in a six-furlong maiden special on the main course July 26. On My Time was purchased by Gary Barber after finishing a troubled third in her June 27 debut at Gulfstream.

Piper’s Gift was supplemented by trainer Dale Desruisseaux off a wide-closing second behind Sweet Fusion when favored in her opening race.

Nacho Problem is the first Woodbine starter for Amelia Green, a former Todd Pletcher assistant who has had a good start to her training career.

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