Sparkles’ Girl class of field

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Stakes winner Sparkles’ Girl returns from a seven-month layoff in a good spot in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, and she might not even be favored in this 5 1/2-furlong Ontario-sired allowance.

A 4-year-old owned by C E C Farms, Sparkles’ Girl had a lucrative juvenile season, taking the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Lassie Stakes by three lengths. She also ran third in the Victorian Queen Stakes and showed that she can score while fresh in her six-furlong debut.

Sparkles’ Girl finished no better than fourth during her abbreviated 2016 campaign, with all three of her starts coming in restricted stakes company. Her last race, a fading fifth in the Classy ’n Smart Stakes, contained three nextout winners.

Emma-Jayne Wilson will ride Sparkles’ Girl for trainer John Charalambous. She has been aboard for all but one of the filly’s eight starts.

The five-horse feature kicks off an eight-race card. Beginning this year, superfecta wagering is allowed on fivehorse fields at Woodbine.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sparkles’ Girl, by Society’s Chairman Last 3 Beyers: 80-72-69

◗ She wintered in Ocala, Fla., where she worked three times at Crupi’s New Castle Farm in March. Her three local works leading up to this engagement include a five-furlong breeze in a bullet 1:01 on the training track last Friday.

Little Christy, by Silent Name Beyers: 72-61

◗ Following a winter vacation, the lone 3-year-old filly in the lineup is putting her unbeaten record on the line. She got a break after romping on the front end at first asking July 9 and then captured a first-level optional claimer by two lengths Dec. 2.

◗ She figures to take some catching, with perennial leading rider Eurico Da Silva retaining the mount for trainer Mike De Paulo, who led the standings with three wins after the meet’s opening weekend.

Indiantown Sunrise, by Not Bourbon Last 3 Beyers: 58-0-72

◗ The 5-year-old was stakesplaced at 2 but has gone winless in seven starts over the past two years and makes her first start since last June.

◗ Her trainer, Marty Drexler, is exiting a career year, and he’s had some success with extended-layoff runners.

◗ She is the lone entrant who will compete with a $40,000 claiming tag.

Coca Inn, by Old Forester Last 3 Beyers: 58-70-36

◗ Her last effort was a sixth in an open allowance race in late November that came on the heels of a decisive score in an Ontario-sired allowance.

◗ She usually flashes speed and could link up on the lead with Little Christy that could set the table for a stalking Sparkles’ Girl.

MICHAEL BURNS Sparkles’ Girl, now 4, wins the Ontario Lassie as a 2-year-old.