Woodbine: Silvera has strong pair for Bull Page Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Laurie Silvera will take two shots at holiday Monday’s $125,000 Bull Page Stakes, when he runs the uncoupled duo of Courtville and Jade Prince in the six-furlong dash for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds at Woodbine.

Courtville prevailed over open maiden special company after racing forwardly in his five-furlong debut, only to be disqualified to second for interference. Menlo Castle, who was placed first, came back to romp in the Simcoe Stakes.

Courtville subsequently notched a Sept. 25 maiden special for Ontario-sired stock from off the pace. For covering the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.08, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 70.

“I think Courtville is a particularly nice horse,” Silvera said. “He won in open company and came back and certainly looked good winning that maiden race. I’m not surprised that he ran the way he did. From day one, he looked like the real deal. He’s a grand-looking horse.”

Silvera said Courtville has come up to the Bull Page in fine fettle.

“He came out of his last race fine,” Silvera said. “It’s a little quick to come back, but I have no option at this stage. We have to take a shot.”

Jade Prince graduated second time out by six lengths, in a slow seven-furlong maiden special July 30. He was a well-beaten fifth most recently in the Sept. 5 Simcoe.

Silvera said Courtville and Jade Prince both caught a virus in August, which may have led to Jade Prince’s subpar showing in the Simcoe.

“He didn’t run as well as I’d expected,” Silvera admitted. “You might see a better performance on Monday. He’s a pretty decent horse. He definitely wants to go a distance of ground. I thought the way he worked five-eighths the other morning was very impressive.”

The speedy Jenna’s Wabbit has been idle since his narrow loss to Making Amends in the July 3 Clarendon Stakes, for which he got a 75 Beyer. He has been working on a regular schedule for Ralph Biamonte, one of Woodbine’s most successful 2-year-old trainers this year.

Trainer Mark Casse has won the Bull Page twice, with Legal Review in 2009 and Legal Move in 2006. He entered Spirit Warnings, who graduated at first asking in a six-furlong maiden special Sept. 10.

“It was a game victory,” Casse said. “He only got a 48 Beyer, but we’re going to give him a try.”

Spirit Warnings was supplemented at a cost of $2,500.