Woodbine: Casse has Eagle Hall and Silent Moon in Friday feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – For the umpteenth time at the Woodbine meet, trainer Mark Casse will send out two contenders in a feature race, when he runs Eagle Hall and Silent Moon in the fourth on Friday.

Eagle Hall could be favored over Silent Moon in the second-level optional claimer on the grass. Thislilsoulofmine also figures to garner significant support, even though the nine-furlong distance is shorter than what she prefers.

Following a productive 2010 campaign, Eagle Hall missed all of 2011. Her comeback began at Gulfstream in March, when she rallied for third after getting away slowly in a $30,000 claimer.

Eagle Hall was subsequently a troubled third in an allowance at Churchill, and she then cleared the first allowance condition under a hand ride from Patrick Husbands here June 23.

Husbands has chosen Eagle Hall over Silent Moon, who checked in second in both of her outings at this level in May.

Over a speed-favoring course May 27, Silent Moon made up about six lengths in the stretch when she was second to multiple stakes winner Moonlit Beauty. She has since posted three quick five-furlong breezes on the Polytrack, over which she scored twice two years ago at 2.

Jermaine Bridgmohan, who guided the Casse-trained Prospective to victory in the Ohio Derby, picks up the mount on Silent Moon.

Thislilsoulofmine is winless since she graduated over 10 furlongs here last July, but she met some salty opposition during her slump. She was fourth in back-to-back stakes in the fall, including the Grade 3 La Prevoyante at Calder.

Most recently in the Grade 3 Bewitch at Keeneland, Thislilsoulofmine lost her action on the final turn before closing mildly for fifth behind the talented Upperline.

Justin Stein will ride Thislilsoulofmine for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield.

The two front-runners in the field, Woolly Bear and English Sunrise, should ensure an honest pace.

Woolly Bear hasn’t found the mark since last July, when she led throughout a nine-furlong optional claimer. She was third behind Moonlit Beauty and Silent Moon in her seasonal debut, after which she finished up the course against males.

English Sunrise set moderate fractions en route to a daylight score in a first-level allowance on the Polytrack July 7. This group is considerably tougher, and it would be shocking to see her double up.

Turns My Head weakened to fourth when favored in Moonlit Beauty’s May 27 triumph. She was previously a prominent second in a 12-furlong allowance at Keeneland.