Versatile Pender Harbour back on turf in Bunty Lawless Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pender Harbour will return to turf for the first time since running second in the Halton Stakes in August 2013 when he takes on seven other Ontario-sired foes in Sunday’s one-mile, $125,000 Bunty Lawless Stakes at Woodbine.
Pender Harbour sports a record of three wins from eight starts on Woodbine’s turf course. Trainer Mike De Paulo said he was not concerned about the switch back to grass since Pender Harbour has been productive on all three surfaces in his career.
“He’s won from seven-eighths to a mile and a half,” he said. “He’s one of the few horses who’s won on the dirt, the Poly, and the turf. Not too many can say that.”
The 6-year-old is one of the elders in the field, along with Th Original Scotty, but has had a productive campaign, with three wins from seven starts, including two victories in Ontario-sired stakes. He won the Elgin Stakes over 1 1/16 miles two starts back and finished third by a neck in the seven-furlong Overskate Stakes last time out.
“He’s doing good,” De Paulo said. “People keep telling me that he’s lost a step, but he only got beat two heads [last time] carrying 124 pounds. He can go seven-eighths, but it’s not his best distance.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Pender Harbour (Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-86)
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: De Paulo has just an 11 percent strike rate with horses going from the synthetic to turf over the last five years, with a return on investment of $1.35.
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Iroquois Falls (Last 3 Beyers: 81-82-80)
◗ Iroquois Falls has improved since moving to turf four starts back. He’s reeled off three successive wins on grass, including in his most recent start against open company.
◗ He will run back on 14 days’ rest after being supplemented to the race by trainer Paul Attard and owner-breeder Chiefswood Stable.
San Nicola Thunder (Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-79)
◗ San Nicola Thunder hasn’t found the winner’s circle since last season’s Vice Regent Stakes at this distance on turf but has been knocking on the door recently, with three straight second-place finishes.
Man Cave (Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-76)
◗ Man Cave is the lone 3-year-old facing older horses in this event and just missed last time out when second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Vice Regent Stakes at this distance on turf.