Wild Catomine seeks elusive third win in route feature
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Wild Catomine ran well only to lose her last race, and she could finally win for the third time in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a non-winners-of-three route for Ontario-sired allowance stock and $40,000 claimers.
Wild Catomine looked like she could be any kind after her first two starts in the spring of 2014, which included a victory over eventual champion Lexie Lou in the Fury Stakes. She subsequently ran second to Lexie Lou in the Woodbine Oaks, but her ensuing stakes form was lackluster for the most part.
Wild Catomine finished second in each of her last two outings at Friday’s class level. Most recently on the grass July 3, she fought with three rivals for the lead while saving ground and then dug in to prevail in the front-end battle before getting caught late.
Gary Boulanger will ride Wild Catomine again for trainer Mark Casse and John Oxley, the Sovereign Award-winning owner in each of the past two years in Canada.
KEY CONTENDERS
Wild Catomine (Last 3 Beyers: 74-75-69)
◗ Leading trainer Casse has been on fire of late. He swept both Grade 2 stakes for juveniles here last Saturday and won three lucrative events at Kentucky Downs on Monday.
◗ The front-runner might have some company on the lead since she’s drawn just inside of the speedy Green Bay. She’s better than that rival, but a duel could set the table for someone else.
Green Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 55-66-55)
◗ She finished a close second after fighting for the lead in each of her last two attempts traveling 1 1/16 miles, both at the $20,000 non-winners-of-two level. This will be her second start after a short layoff.
Savanna City (Last 3 Beyers: 75-72-70)
◗ After earning her diploma by six lengths June 28, the daughter of Old Forester never threatened against the likes of London Tower and Galina Point in the restricted Eternal Search Stakes. She had a lively pace last time before closing wide to capture a non-winners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance, from which the runner-up exited to disappoint.
◗ Second-leading rider Luis Contreras, who was aboard for both of her triumphs, will get a leg up from trainer Brandon Greer.
Storming Place (Last 3 Beyers: 69-48-65)
◗ She came from off the pace to topple $25,000 maidens on the Polytrack in June and then showed her versatility by winning a recent $40,000 conditioned claimer in front-running style on the grass.