Woodbine: Gold Dust Lady has recency edge in optional claimer

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Gold Dust Lady is the only winter-raced runner in Sunday’s Woodbine headliner, which should give her an edge in the second-level optional claimer for fillies and mares.

Gold Dust Lady wintered at Palm Meadows in Florida with trainer Lorne Richards, who ran her once on the dirt at Gulfstream in March. The result wasn’t pretty as she trailed a seven-horse field of optional claimers, but the rival who finished directly in front of her subsequently dusted $25,000 opposition.

Gold Dust Lady scored three times here on the Polytrack last year, at three different distances, all under Jim McAleney. She registered a career-high 83 Beyer Speed Figure while notching a seven-furlong optional claimer in October.

Gold Dust Lady will compete with a $60,000 tag, and McAleney has the call.

There are three stakes winners in the seven-furlong event, Anne’s Beauty, Attitude Included, and Secret Wish.

Anne’s Beauty is the lone 3-year-old in the seven-horse field. She graduated second time out in August and has been idle since her come-from-behind triumph in the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes on Nov. 14. She got an 83 Beyer in the fast-placed Glorious Song.

David Clark retains the mount on Anne’s Beauty, who is trained by Paul Attard.

Attitude Included captured the restricted South Ocean Stakes two years ago at 2. She struggled during the first half of 2010, but then came alive on the grass in the fall, when she won an Ontario-sired allowance after ending up second in the La Prevoyante Stakes.

Apprentice Betty-Jo Williams will ride Attitude Included for trainer Mark Casse, who entered her with a $62,500 claiming price.

Secret Wish only got a 68 Beyer when she took the fast-paced Algoma Stakes with a wide rally in September. She missed the board in each of her next two outings, both going long at this level, and is coming off a winter break.

Amiable Grace is a legitimate contender. She banked nearly $130,000 last year, while winning two of nine starts, including a seven-furlong allowance.

Amiable Grace closed with the aid of an outside bias to finish second in a six-furlong optional claimer that followed a freshening Dec. 4. She has worked quickly for her first start since then.

Rashnaa rallied six wide on the turn en route to a decisive win in a $40,000 claimer over seven furlongs Nov. 20. She has worked steadily for her return from a five-month layoff.