Gamble’s Ghost preps for Maple Leaf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Multiple graded winner Gamble’s Ghost will prepare for the Grade 3 Maple Leaf in the nine-furlong allowance prep for that stakes on Friday’s excellent Woodbine program.

Gamble’s Ghost captured the Grade 3 Mazarine two years ago at 2 and took the Grade 3 Selene in the spring of last year. She lost the 2016 Woodbine Oaks by a nose following a brutal trip, then ran seventh in both the Queen’s Plate and Wonder Where Stakes.

In her second start this year, Gamble’s Ghost won a second-level optional claimer over a modest field in June. She went on to finish a nonthreatening fifth on turf in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly, but then rebounded off a twomonth layoff Sept. 2, closing wide from off slow fractions to easily win the Belle Mahone Stakes.

Six others were entered in the featured seventh race, including the speedy Chicago shipper Moms Choice. The eight-race card also includes two optional claimers on the grass, each of which has several stakes winners.

KEY CONTENDERS

Gamble’s Ghost, by Ghostzapper Last 3 Beyers: 83-88-78

◗ Trainer Josie Carroll has worked her three times leading up to this, including a half-mile in 48.80 seconds last Friday under regular rider Luis Contreras.

Moms Choice, by Kitten’s Joy Last 3 Beyers: 92-83-80

◗ She led all the way in her last three outings, most recently in a minor stakes over Arlington’s Polytrack. Her high-percentage trainer, Larry Rivelli, has named one of his go-to riders, Santo Sanjur. They are a combined 14 for 56 on the year.

Ice Festival, by Awesome Again Last 3 Beyers: 79-87-83

◗ She’s winless in five starts since taking last year’s Maple Leaf, but her recent form is solid. Following back-to-back seconds in the Trillium and Ontario Matron stakes, she lacked room and checked in third in the Belle Mahone.

Sweater Weather, by Milwaukee Brew Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-71

◗ The 6-year-old won the Algoma Stakes for the second year in a row with an eyecatching rally Aug. 30, but she regressed last time when fourth in another restricted stakes, the Classy ’n Smart.

Into The Mystic, by Galileo Last 3 Beyers: 84-74-86

◗ The turf expert has been campaigned sporadically since coming to North America from France in 2016.

◗ She’s making her first synthetic-track start and her second for trainer Mark Casse, who sent her out to win a recent optional-claiming sprint in her first try for him.

Moonlight Sky, by Sky Mesa Last 3 Beyers: 77-80-76

◗ After winning a June 4 allowance, she finished third in the Flaming Page Stakes and seventh in the Grade 2 Canadian.