Woodbine: Parabola will try to lead them all the way in marathon

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The latter portion of the long Woodbine meet traditionally includes a host of longer routes, and Thursday’s second race is an interesting one that will be run over 12 furlongs on the Polytrack.

The classy Parabola should be well backed in the $16,000 claimer. A 5-year-old trained by Dan Wills, Parabola earned his 15 minutes of fame when he captured the restricted Kingarvie Stakes here in 2008.

Parabola was one of the better marathoners at Fort Erie this year. He wrapped up that recently concluded meet with seconds to the heavily favored Game Ball in back-to-back $10,000 starter allowances.

Most recently traveling two miles and 70 yards, Parabola set the quick half-mile split of 48.13 seconds and maintained the lead until midstretch, before being overtaken by Game Ball. He finished seven lengths clear of the third horse and was awarded a 76 Beyer Speed Figure.

Kirk Johnson, Fort Erie’s leading rider this year, retains the mount on Parabola, who has a mediocre 2-for-16 record on synthetics. Johnson has won aboard three of nine mounts for Wills at the current Woodbine meet.

Langfuhr Country, an erratic 4-year-old, captured both of his October outings under journeyman David Clark, including a nine-furlong conditioned claimer. He finished far up the track behind Game Ball in a 12-furlong starter at Fort Erie in September, a race that you can probably ignore because of his poor record on a fast dirt track.

Langfuhr Country is sent out by owner/trainer Roger Laurin, who has an impressive 6-for-22 record here this year.

Handy Harold has been performing well for owner/trainer Ron Sadler. He defeated $12,500 opposition going nine furlongs three starts ago and is coming off a third-place finish in a $20,000 starter over 10 furlongs.

Stolonboy is winless in 11 starts at this stand, but the 6-year-old has been in decent form this fall. He was a stalking second behind Langfuhr Country in a fast-placed $10,000 claimer Oct. 27.

Big Brown Brewski mounted a mild five-wide bid for fifth last time in a tough $20,000 claimer that featured a fast pace. He was previously victorious over $16,000 stock at 1 1/16 miles.

Prince Raffie had a productive campaign this year at Presque Isle Downs, where he scored twice over middle distances on the Tapeta surface.

Mighty Monarch, who appears to have distance limitations, should be tracking Parabola during the early stages under the patient Quincy Welch.