Dragon Bay gets another stamina test

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Dragon Bay will stretch out in distance again, to 1 3/8 miles on grass, in Sunday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Sky Classic Stakes at Woodbine.

Dragon Bay evolved into a productive miler last fall after trainer Stu Simon made equipment changes that stopped him from lugging in through the stretch, a habit that led to two disqualifications.

Dragon Bay captured the Grade 2 Eclipse on May 20 but could only manage sixth after a claustrophobic inside trip July 2 in the Grade 2 King Edward. He went from a mile to 1 1/4 miles on July 29 in the Grade 2 Nijinsky, which he won in front-running

style under Gary Boulanger.

Simon said Dragon Bay should be suited to the additional ground.

“I don’t think it will be any problem,” Simon said. “He’ll run on the lead or off the lead. He just needs to not be bottled up like he was in the [King Edward] and he’ll be fine. He always struck me as a horse who will run a mile and a half. I just had to get him to run straight first, before I worried about stretching him out.”

Five others were entered in the Sky Classic, race 6 on the Breeders’ Stakes undercard.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dragon Bay, by Parading Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-96

◗ He figures to lead the way again on the fresh ground in lane 1 on the roomy course.

Can’thelpbelieving, by Duke of Marmalade Last 3 Beyers: 93-103-93

◗ The Graham Motion-trained Maryland shipper just missed to Bigger Picture two back in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth and was second as the favorite most recently in the Nijinsky.

Pumpkin Rumble, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-84

◗ He faded to third after pressing the pace in the Nijinsky and has placed in all four of his starts for trainer Kevin Attard.

“I think there’s still room for improvement with him,” Attard said. “I think he’s going to run his best race for me on Sunday.”

Starship Jubilee, by Indy Wood Last 3 Beyers: 95-94-87

◗ The lone filly in the lineup has improved by leaps and bounds since being claimed for a mere $16,000 at Gulfstream. She’s riding a five-race win streak for Attard, capped by a dead-heat tally in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly over 10 furlongs.

“She’s training well,” Attard said. “A mile and three-eighths is a question mark. I’d like to get a race into her before the [Grade 2 Canadian on Sept. 16], which is the next goal for her.”