Wickenheiser drops to allowance after steady diet of stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Wickenheiser drops out of stakes company with a big chance to score in Friday’s Woodbine feature for nonwinners-of-two allowance types and $50,000 3-year-olds, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the main turf.

Named after Canada’s most famous female hockey player, Hayley Wickenheiser, the daughter of Lemon Drop Kid has run hot and cold throughout her nine-race career. Her three second-place finishes this year all came under Kazushi Kimura, who has the mount Friday.

Wickenheiser closed for second behind Elysian Field in the July 23 Woodbine Oaks before a dull 11th-place finish in the $1 million King’s Plate, a performance trainer Kevin Attard had no excuse for.

“It was very puzzling,” Attard said. “I thought she was going into the race in good order and I expected a big performance. She was very flat.”

Wickenheiser rebounded when second in the Sept. 10 Wonder Where Stakes going 1 1/4 miles on the grass. Most recently, she finished sixth on turf after a wide trip in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Stakes. That anchor leg of the Canadian Triple Crown has already yielded two next-out winners.

Owned by Clay Scherer and Al and Bill Ulwelling, Wickenheiser is a full sister to 2020 Breeders’ victor Belichick.

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After earning her diploma on July 29, Anita Margarita was competitive in three consecutive starts at this level and could give Wickenheiser a run for her money.

Anita Margarita was third behind a peaking Witch Hazel and next-out winner Indy Champagne two back on the Tapeta. She edged out Courtly Ro for second most recently in a two-turn inner turf route won by favored Mo Town Mayhem.

Patrick Husbands will ride Anita Margarita again for owner/trainer Nick Nosowenko.

The Attard-trained Courtly Ro breaks from the rail under Rafael Hernandez. She has just a third to her credit from five starts this year, including an eighth-place finish in the nine-furlong Woodbine Oaks.

Liam’s Gift is competing over a route of ground for the first time off a rail-skimming third in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance with a $32,000 claiming option on the inner turf. She graduated in her penultimate race going seven-eighths on the main course.

Liam’s Gift is by Liam’s Map, who has sired 12 percent winners in turf routes, including multiple Grade 1 winner Colonel Liam. Ryan Munger has the call for trainer Rachel Halden.

Financial Advice was claimed from trainer Chad Brown for $75,000 in July at Belmont Park. Trainer Steve Chircop sent the French import out to earn her diploma in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special on the Tapeta here Oct. 7. Emma-Jayne Wilson, who is 8 for 33 at the meet for this hot barn, retains the mount.

Completing the seventh-race field are Cry Freedom and Diosa Catrina.

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