Vantarsi steps up after comeback score

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After clearing the first allowance condition decisively, Vantarsi moves up in class in Saturday’s main event at Woodbine, a six-furlong conditioned allowance with a $50,000 claiming option.

Vantarsi graduated third time out at 2 here last fall for trainer Kevin Attard. She subsequently finished third behind Marissa’s Lady in the Gowell Stakes on Dec. 26 at Turfway for trainer Brendan Walsh before going on hiatus.

When returning from a 10-month layoff for Attard here Oct. 22, Vantarsi led all the way in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer while earning a big 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

“We always thought of her as a nice filly,” Attard recalled. “She showed some potential at 2 and had one start in a stakes at Turfway where the winner seemed like a pretty good horse. She had a little issue that required some time off. She had been working really good heading into that race. I wasn’t sure how cranked up she was, to be honest, and she ran lights-out.”

Vantarsi drew outside the other speed in post 3 and could fall into a stalking trip.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

“I don’t necessarily think she’s a need-the-lead type,” Attard said. “We’re going to have to play it by ear. Hard Edge and [Halfinthewrapper] are pretty quick. Ideally, we’re probably going to need to try to sit off of them.”

Kazushi Kimura retains the mount on Vantarsi, who shares the same ownership group as the brilliant Queen’s Plate winner Moira – X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

Attard said Moira remained in Kentucky after finishing a wide fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 5 at Keeneland.

“She’s having some time off at Margaux Farm, getting some R and R,” Attard said.

Trainer Mark Casse entered Aubrieta and Miss Speedy in the eight-horse field of fillies and mares.

A stakes winner last year at 2, Aubrieta was second in the Star Shoot Stakes and third in the Fury Stakes before heading to the bench after a failed turf experiment July 16.

Miss Speedy won the seven-furlong Duchess Stakes in September 2021 after a fast allowance score and a fourth in the Bison City Stakes. She pressed a slow pace before weakening to third behind Imagery and Hell N Wild when returning from a one-year layoff in an Oct. 29 turf sprint at this level.

After getting away slowly, Imagery rallied outside over the live part of the soggy main course to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over Hell N Wild on Oct. 29. She was previously third behind favored Hazelbrook in the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion on the Tapeta.

Hell N Wild has competed with a $50,000 claiming tag throughout most of the meet and came from third to win on the Tapeta in her penultimate start.

As for Hard Edge and Halfinthewrapper, neither possess a passing gear and they seem poised to duel each other into submission.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.