Woodbine: Power Phil getting turf test in Friday allowance

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Power Phil will pass up Sunday’s Queen’s Plate in favor of Woodbine’s allowance feature Friday, when he will make his first start on turf over nine furlongs against nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired opposition.

Power Phil capped his promising 2-year-old campaign with a nose loss to the talented Plate prospect Pyrite Mountain in the restricted Kingarvie Stakes on Dec. 2. After a winter vacation until April 21, Power Phil ran evenly for third over a speed-favoring track in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes, which was won by a rejuvenated Dan the Tin Man.

Power Phil subsequently won a 1 1/16-mile allowance for Ontario-sired runners with ease, after kicking clear early in the stretch. Most recently, he earned his second straight 77 Beyer Speed Figure, when he ran second as the heavy favorite in a nine-furlong allowance at Friday’s level.

Power Phil is by Philanthropist, who is about average as a turf sire. His dam has produced two turf winners from four starters, and his broodmare sire is Canadian Triple Crown winner Peteski.

Eurico Rosa Da Silva will ride Power Phil for hot trainer Bob Tiller, who had the Plate in mind for Power Phil until just after that recent loss.

Renegade Man also is trying a new surface, and this 4-year-old son of Strut the Stage has a little more turf breeding than Power Phil.

Renegade Man parlayed a perfect stalking trip into a first-out maiden victory traveling seven furlongs April 26. He cleared the first Ontario-sired allowance condition third-time out going a mile and 70 yards on June 14, when he set a quick pace before pulling away for an authoritative victory.

Justin Stein retains the mount on the Mike Doyle-trained Renegade Man, who put up a 77 Beyer last time.

Crushin Hard displayed solid grass form last year, which included a clear-cut maiden victory and a second-place finish in a one-mile allowance. He had been idle for more than five months when he closed belatedly for third behind Renegade Man on June 14.

Uncatchable Fire appears to be rounding into form. He was along for third in a recent seven-furlong allowance that was dominated by the two front-runners.

Uncatchable Fire is questionable going this far, but is being reunited with Richard Dos Ramos, who was aboard for both of his wins, and could make an impact.

Sir Travis also brings improving form to this, his first grass race, but there’s no turf breeding in his immediate family. He wound up third behind Power Phil in his second start off the bench June 14.

Th Original Scotty and Drink Or Sink, who are coupled, figure to be no more than minor players.