Woodbine: Pace may set up Kerry Convent's late move

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kerry Convent returns from a six-week break in Friday’s featured eighth race. There’s some speed in the five-furlong Ontario-sired allowance, and it could set up for the Steve Attard-trained runner if she fires one of her better shots.

Kerry Convent checked in third in her first two appearances at the meet, both in Ontario-sired nonwinners-of-two allowance company. She nearly notched her second win while dropping to $20,000 May 23, when she closed to finish a head back as the favorite.

A month later, Attard moved Kerry Convent back up to allowance company, and she got the job done after closing wide from a stalking position on a speed-conducive track. Most recently, at Friday’s nonwinners-of-three level, she couldn’t keep up after racing five wide in a slow-paced six-furlong sprint.

Justin Stein inherits the mount from the suspended David Moran on Kerry Convent, who has worked twice this month.

White Road captured a nonwinners-of-two allowance three starts ago and subsequently finished a fading fourth at this class. She rode a golden rail to a close third nine days ago, and is cutting back from 6 1/2 furlongs to the distance of her maiden victory on Friday.

David Garcia will ride White Road again for trainer Abraham Katryan.

I’llthinkaboutit earned a fat 78 Beyer when she won her maiden over five furlongs in her season opener, but hasn’t come close to duplicating that feat in five subsequent outings.

I’llthinkaboutit was freshened heading into her last race, in which she wound up second under Emma Wilson, who will get a leg up from trainer Mike Doyle.

Our Darrilyn led the way before fading in back-to-back grass races in June and July. She was recently a weary fifth behind I’llthinkaboutit after opening up a clear lead through fast fractions. This will be her first start for trainer Mike Mattine.

Executive Driven retreated to fifth after tracking eventual winner Sour Grapes in her lone attempt at this level July 14. Just eight days later, she was a distant fifth in a difficult $20,000 conditioned claimer, and has since worked a half-mile.

Proud of My Roots won her first two appearances in the spring, including a seven-furlong allowance, but has been beaten double digits in each of her three starts since. She’s switching from turf to Polytrack while making her first start for trainer Laurie Silvera.

Swingwiththering rounds out the field. She has just a third-place finish to her credit from five races at the meet, and is getting another rider change, to Jesse Campbell.