Inaugural Running of the Maple Leaf – G III
Hello race fans and welcome to another addition of Hoof Beats . This week we take a comprehensive look at the G3 Maple Leaf . It’s the inaugural running of this race and trainers are eager to have their name to be first in the books ; to set the benchmark for future running’s of this graded race . The Maple Leaf -G3 is geared for 5 yo or older mares in the classic division , i love to see these races as they truly are a breed test . Horses racing at this age have to be sound , more so at this level of competition and several stars of the classic division have graced the field today . A dozen classy runners have been entered today for a chance to make history , so lets take a look at them .
Drawing the wood at 13 / 1 is Debbie can Fly ( Saint Ballado x Northern Dancer x Graustark ) from the stables of Mysontim , ridden by hard luck veteran jockey W. Mafit . This 6 yo mare is sparked coming off a long layoff . She’s won her last 2 outings and hit triple figures last trip over 7 furlongs . Primarily an Allowance runner , she makes a run at graded company in just her 3rd race this year . Maybe i can get trainer Mysontim to throw her in a claimer because i absolutely love the breeding on this mare and look forward to her progeny when her race days are over and she heads to the breed shed .
In post 2 wearing the silks of Blackirish is 12 / 1 mare Tinker’s Secret (IRE) ( Monashee Mountain (IRE) x Oh Say x Secreto ) with winning youngster C. Muncie in the irons . This 7 yo mare is STILL taking care of business both sprinting and routing . Her last win came in week 2909 in The Trick Time Special -Stk over 7.5 furlongs of “GOOD” dirt 1:29: flat by 1-1/4 for a 103 SP effort . She kicks it up a notch today in graded company and stretching the distance out a bit , she should do well over this distance .
In post 3 at 7 / 1 is the # 194 ranked dirt sprinter Wood Attack ( Atticus x Woodman x Danzig ) representing trainer Casino and ridden by crafty veteran jockey R . Tatersall . Nothing but stakes this year for 6 yo Wood Attack although the wins have been thin of late . Her last win coming in week 2531 in The Harbex Challenge -Stk over 6 furlongs 1:09:2/5 for a 103 SP . She has put up several triple digit efforts this year , proving she isn’t quite done yet .. but time eventually catches all of us .
In post 4 at 4 / 1 is the second betting choice Wine and Whiskey ( Danzig x Mr. Prospector x Buckpasser ) representing the stables of trainer Kaif099 and ridden by rookie sensation R . Heenan . She’s the #18 ranked dirt sprinter with good reason , boasting a record of 27 : 11-6-2 , 10 races on the season with 3 wins and 8 triple digit SP efforts . She’s been in a bit of a funk lately , her last win coming by way of The Virginia Charge Memorial -Stk in week 2825 over 7.5 furlongs 1:28:2/5 earning a 109 SP effort . Stalking is her bag and a return to that kind of style will put her in a great position to visit the winners circle today .
In post 5 representing trainer Wnrscircle is Badge of Honor 6 / 1 ( Silver Ghost x Deputy Minister x Gone West ) , tested veteran jockey Mo Johnson gets the nod . She’s the # 58 ranked classic runner with good reason . Nearly 1/2 million dollars in lifetime earnings boasting a record of 41 : 14-10 – 3 , she’s put up 3 stakes level wins this year at 8.5 furlongs including her latest effort in The Sod Want Special -Stk 1:42:3/5 101 SP week 2888 . Her race history shows her to be comfortable between 8 and 9 furlongs and today should be no different .
In post 6 is 5 yo chestnut Is this Name Taken 15 / 1 ( Storm Cat x Deputy Minister x Big Spruce ) trained by Rowdy and ridden by journeyman jockey V. Loung . She has 2 wins on the season , both at this distance . Her last winning effort came by way of The Hidious the Alpha (GB) Handicap -Stk in Italy week 2825 1:35:4/5 95 SP. This season has seen her regress a bit but she is certainly still competitive in stakes competition evidenced by her # 160 ranking in the classic division . Primarily running in Europe this season she makes the trip across the pond to take on North American talent .
In post 7 at 3 / 1 is the favorite Waki Notion ( Miswaki x Nijinsky II x Dr. Fager ) from the stables of Looney1 and ridden by seasoned journeyman V. Townsend . This 5 yo girl is ranked # 5 in the classic division and boasts a record of 29 : 13-6-2 with $ 2.3 million in earnings . Trainer Looney1 knew he had something special when this mare started her career off with a huge bang winning both her 2 yo starts in impressive fashion , both 90+ SP efforts . Since then it’s been a bed of roses , racking up Stakes and graded events too many to list . This season has seen multiple G1 wins including 10 furlong event First State Distaff -G1 week 2923 and last time out over 9 furlongs in KY week 2958 in the Rose Garden Handicap -G3 1:47:3/5 109 SP . She is running so well this year i can’t see her losing this race today .
In post 8 is the Baileybarn trained Homecoming Dance 8 / 1 ( Came Home x Nijinsky x Clever Trick ) ridden by seasoned journeyman C. Brubaker and ranked # 35 in the classic division . This girl is battle tested with a record of 43 : 17-7-8 and earning $ 1.3 million lifetime . She started off her 2 yo season with a huge bang , railing off 6 races and 5 big wins including 2 in stakes company . Her freshman season saw 4 more stakes wins added to the pile but graded seemed to elude her till last season where she tore up fields all over the globe in graded company . This season she started off crisp in the Be Forewarned Stakes -G3 week 2734 on this same track , at this same distance 1:34:1/5 putting up a 110 SP effort in the process . At these odds I’m putting some cash on this mare for sure .
In post 9 is the Sdmf2 trained Cupid’s Dead 12 / 1 ( Event of the Year x Sovereign Dancer x Best Turn ) , with 100+ wins on the year , veteran jockey N. Linville is an excellent choice today . This G1 winning mare is ranked # 19 in the classic division but is really more comfortable at 9 furlongs . Unraced at 2 , she spent her 3 yo season on the grass but finding her stride last race on dirt at 9 furlongs and a career best SP effort freshman year . Things really got cooking last year , seeing a slough of stakes and graded wins including a G1 win week 2636 in the Could be History in the Making -G1 over 9 furlongs . Her Breeders Bowl Debut was uninspiring but she bounced back next outing to win a listed stakes in week 2706 . This season’s results are a trio of second place finishes including her solo triple digit effort on the year … at 9 furlongs .
In post 10 at 32 / 1 is Virilio(GB) ( Dubai Millennium (GB) x Pine Bluff x Bold Commander ) from the Vineland stable , Rookie sensation S. Brownridge gets the nod . This 7 yo mare has had a fun filled career , primarily having success at much longer distances than is being run today including her back 2 back wins over 10 and 11 furlongs in Allowance company this year . She hasn’t put up a triple digit effort since week 2615 and this may be her last hurrah before she hits the breed shed .
In post 11 is Aly Storm 16 / 1 ( Storm Cat x Mt. Livermore x Alydar ) representing trainer Mowar and ridden by track sensation B . Renfroe . This 5 yo mare is lightly raced and is just entering her 5th race this season since a disastrous running in the Bluegrass Oaks -G1 week 2111 . A long layoff indeed but she has been on fire of late winning her last 2 in stakes company including her last start over 8 furlongs in week 2965 on this very track Ontario Stakes -Stk winning easily by 4-1/4 1:35:2/5 . She may be overlooked and might just surprise some people with her effort today .
On the outside in post 12 is Try Kentucky 13 / 1 ( Aljabr x Mt. Livermore x L’Enjoleur ) out of the Woodenpony stable and ridden by journeyman I. Selby . This lightly raced mare has wired 2 of her last 3 starts including her romp in The Round Project Memorial -Stk week 2944 1:35 flat 104 SP over 8 furlongs . Her last start was in G1 company week 2965 where she tried her hand at rating in KY Horsemen Mint Julep Distaff -G1 . Forget the rating , get in front and make em come after you this week .
Kingman