Woodbine: Take Three the one to catch in allowance

ET OBICOKE, Ontario – Take Three and Niigon’s Glory, two nominees to the Dec. 4 Sir Barton Stakes, have shown up in a more realistic spot in Friday’s Woodbine feature, a nine-furlong allowance for Ontario-sired nonwinners-of-three.

Take Three has excelled since being claimed from his maiden victory for $25,000 by owner/trainer Nick DeToro on Sept. 7.

Take Three leaped up to a nonwinners-three-restricted allowance in his debut off the claim Oct. 14 and did well to finish third after leading until about the eighth pole in that nine-furlong grass route. Victorious Port Severn subsequently won an open allowance, and runner-up Pyrite Mountain had captured the Wando Stakes in the spring.

Take Three led virtually all the way during a five-length tally in a nonwinners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance on the Polytrack a month ago. Runner-up Northern Bruce came back to score in a slow race at the same class.

Patrick Husbands retains the mount on Take Three, who should prove difficult to catch as the only front-runner in the six-horse field.

Niigon’s Glory has been a model of consistency since his dismal season opener on the grass at Keeneland. He might be at his best on the dirt, over which he wound up third in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on July 30.

Niigon’s Glory dusted nonwinners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance opposition on the Polytrack on Sept. 7, but was second as the favorite in each of his two races at that level since then. Steve Bahen will ride him again for trainer Rachel Halden, a combination that is 7 for 19 at the meet.

Cojac rallied five wide from far back to finish a distant third behind a sharp Pugsley and Niigon’s Glory on Nov. 3. The plodder might be poised to put forth a peak performance in his third outing after an extended layoff.

Highland Bay raced evenly in a four-wide position to end up fifth in that same 1 1/16-mile allowance Nov. 3. He got the job done the time before in an easier allowance, which was taken off the turf.

Hawk’s Well recently switched trainers, going to Mike Doyle from Ian Howard, who has retired for the time being. Hawk’s Well has done his optimum running on the grass, over which he romped in a 10-furlong allowance Aug. 30.

Rounding out the field is Mist Opportunity, who has struggled in low-level conditioned claim ers this fall.