Wellabled back on synthetic in Swynford Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner Wellabled will put his undefeated record on synthetic surfaces on the line against a small but solid field in Sunday’s $125,000 Swynford Stakes for 2-year-olds over six furlongs on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Wellabled has traveled frequently during his juvenile campaign and will be making his sixth start at his fifth different track in the Swynford. The Larry Rivelli trainee comes into the Swynford off a 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf over a mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, when he dueled on the lead through quick fractions and weakened in the stretch.

He’s won all three of his starts on synthetic surfaces at Arlington Park and Presque Isle Downs, including a 7 3/4-length victory in the Arlington-Washington Futurity on Sept. 10, when he earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure.

Key Contenders

Wellabled, by Shackleford
Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-85

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Rivelli has recorded three runner-up finishes in six starts at this meet and is just 1 for 15 here in the past five years. However, eight of those starters finished in the money.

Sailing Home, by Mast Track
Last Beyer: 83

◗ Sailing Home dominated in his career debut Oct. 30, recording a 9 3/4-length victory in a six-furlong sprint.

◗ Trainer Mark Casse said Sailing Home trains like an exceptional horse.

“We’re excited about him,” he said. “Our feeling is the sky could be the limit with him.”

Katalox, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 89-77-44

◗ He has the best last-out Beyer in the field, an 89 for his runner-up finish to Vanish in the Clarendon Stakes on Nov. 5.

◗ He could provide pace pressure on Wellabled after being on the lead in each of his first three starts.

Uncle B, by Zensational
Last 2 Beyers: 79-62

◗ He debuted with a fifth-place finish in the Colin Stakes on Sept. 11 and came back to win his second start by 6 1/4 lengths on Oct. 10. He’s been freshened since that maiden win but has recorded three workouts in preparation for this start.

Undulated, by Curlin
Last 2 Beyers: 70-50

◗ He was a $625,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training.

◗ He ships to Woodbine off a runner-up effort in the Laurel Futurity over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf Sept. 10, a race that produced two next-out stakes winners.