Unbeaten pair meet in Vandal
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Doneraile Gem and Don's Folly, both residents of Barn 8 at Woodbine, will clash at six furlongs in Sunday's $150,000 Vandal Stakes for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds.
Doneraile Gem is unbeaten in two starts. He trounced $50,000 maidens when debuting in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special June 7, earning a 71 Beyer Speed Figure. He only got a 60 Beyer when taking the 5 1/2-furlong Clarendon Stakes on July 7.
According to trainer John Cardella, Doneraile Gem refused to work last Sunday, so he ended up working him five-eighths in company the next day.
"He didn't want to work by himself on Sunday morning," said Cardella. "I worked him on Monday with Will's Woo Woo in 1:01 and change. I was content with the work. He just needs company. That's one of the reasons why I ran him for $50,000. He had been having average workouts, and I didn't give a lot of money for him, so I decided to find out how good he is."
Except for that botched workout, Cardella said Doneraile Gem has been doing well.
"He's come up to the race in fine fettle," said Cardella. "He's 2 for 2 on the Polytrack, and six furlongs will suit him perfectly."
Don's Folly should be strongly backed because of the 85 Beyer he received for winning his only start, an Ontario-sired maiden special, by 3 1/2 lengths. Trainer Mike DePaulo said he was confident going into that July 2 race, although the five-furlong distance had him worried.
"I was concerned that five-eighths was too short for him, but he broke good," DePaulo said. "I thought he made a couple different moves - when they came at him, he took off again, and he galloped out well."
DePaulo believes the best is yet to come from Don's Folly, a $45,000 yearling purchase.
"He's trained well within himself," said DePaulo. "He's never really extended himself in any of his breezes."
DePaulo also supplemented a fast-working first-timer starter, Deputiformer, for $3,000.
"He's a nice colt by Silver Deputy," said DePaulo. The trainer won the 1992 Vandal with a son of Silver Deputy, Dancing Deputy.