Two stakes winners drop into softer spot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Stakes-winning 3-year-old Silver Impulse seeks her first win of the year in the second of two $62,500 optional claimers for fillies and mares on Friday's 11-race card at Woodbine.

Silver Impulse was claimed from her 2-year-old debut for $62,500 by trainer Stanley Baresich, in partnership with Winston Penny. She took the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Lassie Stakes in her last start of 2004 and was aimed toward this year's Labatt Woodbine Oaks, in which she finished far back.

Silver Impulse dropped her three summer outings, the best of which was a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Duchess Stakes. She reaffirmed her fondness for the cooler fall weather on Oct. 8, when she finished second in the Carotene Stakes on turf, and was recently a fast-closing third in the Maple Leaf Stakes, after encountering traffic problems on the far turn.

Silver Impulse cuts back from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/16 miles on Friday, with apprentice Emma Wilson back in the saddle.

Schooner Bay, the only other added-money winner in the lineup, is the other main contender.

Schooner Bay has won 4 of 7 outings this year for Melnyk Racing Stable and trainer David Bell. She launched her campaign with three consecutive victories, all in Ontario-sired company, and subsequently ran second in a pair of open allowances.

Schooner Bay beat just three rivals going 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 10 in the restricted Classy 'n Smart Stakes. She wound up fourth, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, after battling on the lead in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf.

Tee Cubed and Six Jiggles are both candidates for inclusion underneath in exotic wagers.

Tee Cubed, a closer trained by Tim Regan, has won four in a row without cracking 70 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale. She captured three straight Ontario-sire races, and is coming off a daylight tally in a fast-paced open allowance.

Six Jiggles has been competitive on both surfaces at this $62,500 classification, but is winless in nine starts on the year.

High Button Shoes heads Friday's other $62,500 optional claiming race, this one at seven furlongs.

Trained by Mark Frostad for Sam-Son Farm, High Button Shoes captured her season opener with ease in a seven-furlong allowance. She ran flat in her next appearance, but was second in each of her two most recent races after flashing her customary speed.

The main threat could come from Warm Rain, who finished third in an improved performance Nov. 13.