Woodbine Oaks winner Neshama starts season in sprint
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Neshama, the 2016 Woodbine Oaks winner, will travel seven furlongs in her first start back from a sabbatical in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a second-level optional claimer for fillies and mares.
Neshama was a 15-1 outsider last June in the nine-furlong Oaks, and she parlayed a lovely stalking trip into a nose victory over the troubled favorite, Gamble’s Ghost.
Oaks third-place finisher Caren turned the tables on Neshama a month later in the Bison City Stakes. Caren led all the way in the 1 1/16-mile route as Neshama finished third. Caren also won the third leg of the Canadian triple tiara, the 10-furlong Wonder Where Stakes on turf, with Neshama fading to fifth. Caren later was named Canada’s Horse of the Year for 2016.
Neshama has been idle since Sept. 3, when she finished a distant fourth after pressing a fast pace in the open La Lorgnette Stakes.
Eurico Da Silva will ride Neshama for trainer Catherine Day Phillips, who swept the early double last Sunday. They have teamed to go 4 for 11 at the meet together.
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KEY CONTENDERS
Neshama, by Sligo Bay
Last 3 Beyers: 62-69-81
◗ She has worked quickly since late May, including five-eighths in 1:00 on June 17.
◗ The first race of her form cycle has not been her best, but Day Phillips possesses excellent numbers with six-month-plus comebackers.
Ami’s Mesa, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 65-80-72
◗ She has been sidelined since trailing on turf in the Dec. 17 South Beach Stakes at Gulfstream.
◗ Unlike Neshama, the 4-year-old has fired nicely when fresh twice before, most notably in her impressive debut score at 2, after which she took the Glorious Song Stakes by daylight. She was a lapped-on second behind the upwardly mobile Blurricane in her last local outing, a Nov. 11 optional claimer on the Tapeta.
Just Be Kind, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 60-67-57
◗ The 3-year-old has failed to hit the board in her three outings since capturing the six-furlong Ontario Debutante Stakes in September. She trailed in an eight-horse field after getting away slowly and racing wide in her June 11 season opener on the grass in the Alywow Stakes, a race she seemingly needed.
Bella Figura, by Midshipman
Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-59
◗ She won two in a row in the spring, including a first-level allowance. In her first try at this level, she mounted a wide bid to finish a close fifth.
◗ Rafael Hernandez retains the mount and is 5 for 11 at the meet for high-percentage owner and trainer Alex Patykewich.