Woodbine: Hollinger tries to get back to winning ways

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Turf racing has been non-existent of late at Woodbine because of all the rain, but the weather forecast looks favorable for Friday’s feature to stay on the grass. Hollinger should be well backed in the third-level allowance with an $80,000 claiming option, which will be run over 6 1/2 furlongs.

The first post has been rolled back one hour to 1 p.m. for this Friday and the remainder of the Friday cards at the meet, which concludes Dec. 4.

Hollinger captured the Sovereign Award for champion 2-year-old in 2009. He was unbeaten in four starts that year, including restricted stakes scores in the Coronation Futurity and the Cup and Saucer.

Hollinger started only twice in 2010, missing the board on each occasion, and is winless in seven starts since his championship season.

“He didn’t train on as a 3-year-old, as he had some physical issues,” said trainer Roger Attfield. “He had a back issue that needed a lot of time, so we just gave him the rest of his 3-year-old year off.”

Hollinger finished third in the July 13 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on the grass, and was fourth in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes three weeks later on Polytrack.

Most recently, in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, Hollinger was prominent throughout along the inside before flattening out to finish 3 1/2 lengths back in eighth.

Tyler Pizarro was named on Hollinger, who was cross-entered in a Keeneland allowance on Friday but is expected to run here at Woodbine.

Among Hollinger’s opponents is the Saratoga-based Silver Medallion, who is returning from a layoff with a new trainer, Todd Pletcher.

Silver Medallion won the Eddie Logan Stakes on the grass last December at Santa Anita. He doubled up in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby in February on the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate, and then continued on the road to the Kentucky Derby when fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April.

Silver Medallion went to the sidelines after ending up fourth as the favorite in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes over Keeneland’s Polytrack in April.

Patrick Husbands was named on Silver Medallion, who is taking the blinkers off.

The versatile Something Extra is stepping up off a nose victory in a seven-furlong optional claimer on the Polytrack. He wound up second in both of his turf outings, most notably to Clement Rock in the Charlie Barley Stakes.

Silver Medallion’s former trainer, Steve Asmussen, entered the stakes winner Macias.