Woodbine: Jungle Wave in position to end win drought

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Jungle Wave will try to end a 14-race losing streak in Friday’s excellent Woodbine feature, which is scheduled for six furlongs on the grass. The second-level allowance, with a $62,500-$60,000 claiming option, lured 14 runners, including three also-eligibles and a main-track-only entrant.

Jungle Wave is winless since August of 2009, when he captured the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes. He has started six times this year, and finished either second or third on four occasions.

Jungle Wave was the 4-5 favorite when he dropped to this optional-claiming class Aug. 6. He seemed headed for victory after opening up a clear lead at the eighth pole, but was caught on the wire by Gypsy Ring. Most recently, in the seven-furlong Play the King, Jungle Wave went six wide on the turn en route to a ninth-place finish.

Jungle Wave is trained by Sid Attard, who will also saddle the speedy D’oro Diablo in the Friday feature.

D’oro Diablo ran two strong races on Polytrack in April, most notably a victory in a 5 1/2-furlong optional event. When he experimented on the grass July 17, D’oro Diablo disposed of another front-runner before holding on gamely to score by a neck over Gypsy Ring.

D’oro Diablo never reached serious contention after getting away a little slowly in his Aug. 20 outing on the Polytrack. Expect him to be on the lead here following a freshening, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make all the running.

Occasional View mounted a very wide rally from 12th to finish just two lengths back in fifth in the Aug. 28 Play the King. The 3-year-old won a first-level allowance sprint the time before,which was his second start for trainer Carolyn Costigan.

Iwillgotothemoon went too fast on the lead before fading in the Sept. 5 Halton, a one-mile stakes for graduates of local yearling sales. He figures to attend the pace on the outside under Jim McAleney, who was aboard for his two 2010 tallies.

Queen Street Beach won his first three starts against Ontario-sired stock, including the Deputy Minister Stakes for 3-year-olds. He failed to stay a mile over yielding turf most recently in the restricted Vice Regent Stakes.

The rain in the forecast for Friday might bode well for main-track-only entrant Sports Select, who led throughout a six-furlong optional claimer Aug. 20. His tactical speed may come in handy from the outside post.