Unbeaten Pohdi Pohdi stretches out in Lady Angela
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pohdi Pohdi will look to remain unbeaten when she takes on eight other Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies in Sunday’s $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes at Woodbine. The Lady Angela, the fourth race on the card, will be the last race called by track announcer Dan Loiselle, who is retiring after 29 years in the role.
Pohdi Pohdi extended her winning streak to three in her first start of the year May 9, dueling early before pulling away by 3 1/2 lengths in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Trainer Robert Tiller said he was pleased with Pohdi Pohdi’s workmanlike performance in her first race off the winter layoff.
“She got the job done,” he said. “She’s doing good, and I expect her to improve off of that race. I just thought she did what she had to do.”
Pohdi Pohdi will have to stretch her speed out to seven furlongs for the first time, but Tiller said she does her best running in the final stages of the race.
“[Seven furlongs] will be the big question, but she’s always running her last quarter as strong as she starts,” he said. “She’s not speed-crazy or anything. We can be close or on the lead. We’ll see how the race develops.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Pohdi Pohdi (Last 3 Beyers: 74-83-78)
◗ Tiller said Pohdi Pohdi has been working well coming into the Lady Angela. She most recently fired a bullet five-furlong breeze in 1:00.60 here May 21. “When you work her in company with another horse, she works good,” Tiller said. “She’s done everything we’ve asked her to do, and she’s got to go for the seven-eighths.”
Galina Point (Last 3 Beyers: 78-54-67)
◗ Galina Point comes into the Lady Angela off a career-best 78 Beyer Speed Figure in the Fury Stakes on May 3 at this distance. She finished third, just a half-length behind probable Woodbine Oaks favorite London Tower.
Classyshadesofgrey (Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-32)
◗ Classyshadesofgrey appears to be the better part of the John Ross pair and has been dominant in her two starts over Woodbine’s Polytrack. She should have a say in how the early pace unfolds and will try to carry her speed for seven furlongs.
River Maid (Last 3 Beyers: 75-69-57)
◗ River Maid dueled through slow fractions to win her first start of the year over 6 1/2 furlongs April 26. The runner-up from that event came back to win with a 73 Beyer.
◗ Her May 21 work matches that of Pohdi Pohdi.