War Lap back on grass
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - War Lap captured his only turf outing with an erratic late bid, and should be a contender in Thursday's feature at Woodbine. The unrestricted allowance for 2-year-olds, scheduled for seven furlongs on the grass, is the local prep for the Grade 3 Summer Stakes here Oct. 4.
War Lap, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished third in each of his first two starts, both going short on the dirt at Churchill Downs. In his local debut in a six-furlong maiden special on the grass Aug. 2, he came wide from midpack to prevail by a nose, after weaving back and forth in the final furlong.
War Lap switched to the Polytrack on Aug. 23 to contest the 6 1/2-furlong Silver Deputy Stakes, and wound up fourth after a wide, stalking journey.
War Lap is by Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant, and his dam, Indy Five Hundred, took the Grade 1 Garden City BC Handicap on the grass. Consequently, his specialty might eventually be as a middle-distance turf runner.
Asmussen also entered outsider Star of David, who won at first asking at Churchill before ending up sixth here in the Colin Stakes.
Utterly Cool should be one of the favorites off his impressive first-out victory going six furlongs on the grass, scoring by five lengths with a respectable 76 Beyer Figure.
Utterly Cool is a half-brother to two grass winners, including Search the Church. Trainer Sid Attard sent him out to work five-eighths in 1:00 over the turf training course last Friday.
First-time starter Classic Monarch, a son of Monarchos, is out of a mare who has thrown several stakes performers, most notably turf stakes winner Full Spectrum. Trainer Mark Frostad has posted an 11 percent win average with 2-year-old debuters on the grass during the past five years, according to DRF's Formulator.
Oconee, a son of hot freshman sire Congaree, scored second time out in a fairly quick maiden special before ending up second in the Silver Deputy. He is one of several front-runners in the lineup.
Bear's Rocket faded to third in the six-furlong Colin, which was won by Woodbine's leading 2-year-old, Southern Exchange. His dam has produced turf winner C'Mon Buddy.
Chicago shipper Attractive Ride came from off the pace to beat $40,000 maidens in his lone start, which came over Arlington's Polytrack. A son of Candy Ride, Attractive Ride possesses turf breeding on both sides of his pedigree.