Woodbine: Red Shot can nail speed

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – If a speed duel materializes in Thursday’s second race at Woodbine, the table could be set for Red Shot, who should be a square price in the five-furlong allowance for Ontario-sired nonwinners of two.

Red Shot has been an underachiever since he graduated at first asking in a quick five-furlong dash in June of 2010. He was well beaten in each of his three outings in the spring, including when he dropped to a $20,000 conditioned claimer, during which he flashed some early foot before fading over a track that hindered speed.

Red Shot woke up without much warning when he was dismissed at 27-1 in a 6 1/2-furlong Ontario-sired allowance July 23. Over a Polytrack that favored speed in the sprints, he made up some ground on the outside to finish third, without switching leads in the stretch.

Justin Stein retains the mount on Red Shot, who is trained by owner Paul Buttigieg.

Red Eagle, Sustainable Forest, and Peeks Inthe Forest all have speed.

Red Eagle rode the bias when he outran Red Shot for second July 23. He was previously a bit player at the first Ontario-sired allowance condition, and turning back to a shorter sprint may be to his benefit.

Jockey Emile Ramsammy will get a leg up from trainer Abraham Katryan on Red Eagle.

Sustainable Forest was a tired third when he debuted in a difficult event June 24. Most recently Aug. 1, he prevailed after setting a slow pace in a six-furlong maiden special, under leading rider Luis Contreras, who will pilot him again for trainer Katerina Vassilieva.

Peeks Inthe Forest came up empty after pressing a rapid pace when he debuted June 24. His speed was considerably more effective when he dropped to a $25,000 maiden claimer Aug. 3, when he crushed a field weak group of Ontario-sired runners with a Beyer Speed Figure of 68.

The Beyer par for this level is 73, and Shades of Gold earned a 75 when he rallied for third in a turf sprint July 13. The winner of that Ontario-sired allowance, Queen Street Beach, returned to capture the restricted Deputy Minister Stakes.

Silent Running was a prominent fourth behind Queen Street Beach and Shades of Gold on July 13, but was a flat fifth last time on the Polytrack.

Not So Griem could sneak into the superfecta in his second start following a long layoff.