Verdana Bold back home for Sweet Briar Too

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Verdana Bold failed to track down a loose-on-the lead Libor Lady when she made her second start of the season in the 5 1/2-furlong Satin and Lace at Presque Isle Downs on June 6.

"I thought she ran a good race last time - the speed just got away from us," said trainer Danny Vella. "She had the outside post, and she either had to go right to the lead or try to go right to the inside, and it didn't work out."

On Wednesday, Verdana Bold will be back on her home grounds and can register a mild upset in the seven-furlong Sweet Briar Too.

The $100,000 Sweet Briar Too, an open overnight stakes for fillies and mares, attracted eight entrants and is the supporting feature on the Canada Day program.

Verdana Bold, a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old, won the six-furlong Star Shoot and the 1 1/16-mile Selene here last year. She also finished second in the seven-furlong Duchess, beaten a nose while conceding nine pounds to the talented Sugar Bay.

Tyler Pizarro regains the mount for the Sweet Briar Too as Verdana Bold will carry 121 pounds.

Authenicat, the 123-pound topweight, should be favored as she attempts to double up after defeating fellow Ontario-sired fillies and mares in the six-furlong Ballade here June 13.

A 4-year-old who is trained by Josie Carroll, Authenicat will have her regular rider Robert Landry aboard.

Authenicat had a start under her belt when she finished third in the Grade 3, 6 1/2-furlong Hendrie here June 13, leaving Verdana Bold 2 1/4 lengths back in seventh in what was her first outing in more than eight months.

An interesting prospect for the Sweet Briar Too is Remarkable Remy, who will be making her first start on a surface other than turf.

A New York-bred 4-year-old trained by Malcolm Pierce, Remarkable Remy set the pace before fading to finish seventh in the Grade 3 Nassau over 1 1/16 miles on turf here May 30.

Pierce had entered Remarkable Remy in the $65,000 Sabellina, an overnight stakes over 1 1/16 miles on turf at Belmont last Thursday, but the threat of rain prompted him to stay home with an eye toward this Polytrack appearance.

"She wound up on the lead in the Nassau, and I think she's a better filly from off the pace," said Pierce. "She trains well over Polytrack, and with the one turn here she should be able to make a late run."