Woodbine: Checkered Past meets Philzana in Jammed Lovely Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Checkered Past turns back to seven furlongs in her stakes debut Saturday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Jammed Lovely. She will meet the improving Philzana in the somewhat weak event for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Checkered Past didn’t show a lot in her first two outings this year, both in the United States. She graduated over 1 1/16 miles in her local debut May 11 before running second in back-to-back allowances on grass.

Checkered Past has been idle since Sept. 8, when she led throughout a 1 1/16-mile allowance on Polytrack and won by three lengths. Trainer Malcolm Pierce said he has been aiming her toward the Jammed Lovely ever since.

“I’ve been sitting on her,” Pierce said. “I had her possible for the Carotene Stakes as well, but then we had Dance Again and Smartyfly [for that race]. We’re shortening up a little bit, which is my biggest concern, but she’s been training really well. This cold weather might have her sharp enough to get seven-eighths. It’s a good spot to finish out her year in. She can go on to Florida next week.”

Eurico Rosa Da Silva retains the mount on the Smart Strike filly, who hails from a superb Sam-Son Farm family.

Philzana went to the sidelines for 10 months after her abbreviated 2-year-old campaign. She won her first two starts off the bench, both in Ontario-sired company, before ending up third in an allowance on turf Oct. 11. Two weeks later, she rallied wide from off a fast pace for third in the open Ruling Angel Stakes.

Philzana has always been well-regarded by trainer Mike De Paulo.

“Her first two races this year were excellent,” De Paulo said. “The race on the grass was okay. She had a wide post. Her last race was really good. I thought it was a pretty tough stakes. She’s a big, strong filly, and she’s going the right way.”

Leading rider Luis Contreras takes over on Philzana.

With a strong wind at her back, Silent Treat dueled for the lead before tiring to finish sixth in the 6 1/2-furlong Ruling Angel. She prevailed in each of her two previous outings, both in allowance company, for trainer Scott Fairlie.

Trainer Bob Tiller entered the front-runner Tequilamockingbird and Line of Best Fit, who also possesses speed when she’s on her game. Todd Kabel was named on both.