Uncle B boasts fine Florida form for Woodstock

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fresh off a successful winter campaign in Florida, Uncle B should be prominent in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodstock Stakes, a six-furlong test for 3-year-olds at Woodbine.

Uncle B graduated second time out in October, then came from off a sizzling pace for second in the Nov. 27 Swynford Stakes here.

He subsequently was sent to Gulfstream, where he was a fading fifth over a sloppy track in the Dec. 10 Buffalo Man Stakes. Assistant trainer and co-owner Martha Gonzalez said the off track wasn’t an excuse for Uncle B’s subpar showing.

“We ran him back too close,” Gonzalez said. “It was two weeks from when he made his last start at Woodbine. He’s a better horse with time between his races.”

Uncle B went on to capture the six-furlong males’ division of the OBS Sprint Stakes in a track-record 1:08.60 on the synthetic surface at the Ocala Training Center. He has been idle since Feb. 25, when he made up ground from fourth to finish a lapped-on second in the five-furlong Texas Glitter Stakes on the Gulfstream turf.

“When he ran on the turf, he got into a little trouble and was kind of scrambling the first part of it,” Gonzalez said. “Once he got rolling, [he realized] what he was supposed to do. He’s been a very nice horse for us.”

Uncle B drew well in post 4 in Saturday’s eight-horse field, and his tactical speed should come in handy. Emma-Jayne Wilson has the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Uncle B, by Zensational

Last 3 Beyers: 75-81-65

◗ Another Woodstock score would make Nick Gonzalez the co-winningest trainer in the race’s history. He won it with Puntrooski in 2014 and Wholelottabourbon in 2005.

Sailing Home, by Mast Track

Last 3 Beyers: 55-83-80

◗ After finishing third in the six-furlong Swynford, he made three straight starts at 1 1/16 miles, including a third in the males’ division of the OBS Championship Stakes and a fourth in the Grade 3 Palm Beach on the Gulfstream turf. Expect him to be competitive on the turnback in distance.

First Goal, by First Defence

Last 3 Beyers: 72-78-77

◗ He had a productive 2-year-old campaign here on the Tapeta and was a flat fifth with blinkers on when returning from a layoff in a March 23 turf sprint at Gulfstream. The blinkers come off Saturday.

Woodbridge, by Langfuhr

Last 3 Beyers: 66-69-72

◗ A Queen’s Plate prospect, he wintered in South Carolina, where he won a 4 1/2-furlong Aiken Trial race in 54.20 seconds on March 18.

Marten River, by Silent Name

Beyer: 70

◗ The lone supplemental entry in the field, he romped last June in his lone start and is getting first-time Lasix.