Niigon’s Eclipse sticks with own kind

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The 4-year-old filly Niigon’s Eclipse was nominated to Saturday’s Bunty Lawless Stakes, but she’s a better fit against her own sex in Friday’s featured secondlevel optional claimer, which is scheduled for a mile in lane 4 on the turf.

Trained by Rachel Halden, Niigon’s Eclipse finished second in two stakes last year, most notably behind Caren in the Carotene. She won a stakes for the first time three races ago in the Victoriana, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-sired females here July 30.

Niigon’s Eclipse wound up second as the favorite after helping set the pace in her last two outings, both at Friday’s level. In her latest race, she was beaten a neck by Gilded Splinters after they dueled through slow fractions.

Patrick Husbands will ride Niigon’s Eclipse for the sixth straight time. She is owned by Chiefswood Stable, which won Sunday’s Grade 3 Ontario Derby with Tiz a Slam.

Ten races were drawn on the expanded Friday Woodbine program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Niigon’s Eclipse, by Niigon Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-83

◗ She won the Victoriana from a stalking position, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her reserved just off the pace after breaking from the rail.

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

◗ She was in solid form prior to a trailing seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Canadian on Sept. 16. She earned her first black type when finishing third in the 12-furlong Flaming Page Stakes on Aug. 11, which came after she cleared the first allowance condition going 1 1/16 miles.

Silver Sidney, by Sidney’s Candy Last 3 Beyers: 71-79-76

◗ After running second to the favored Gamble’s Ghost on the Tapeta in the Sept. 2 Belle Mahone Stakes, she was fifth against the boys in a one-mile turf route. That novelty starter allowance was limited to gray/ roans who’d competed for $20,000.

Reserved, by Kitten’s Joy Last 3 Beyers: 72-79-74

◗ She finished third in backto-back grass outings prior to a troubled sixth most recently in another second-level optional claimer.

◗ Sheena Ryan was aboard for two of her best performances this year, and she’s back on Friday.

Malibu Bonnie, by Malibu Moon Last 3 Beyers: 78-74-67

◗ She has improved with each appearance at the meet and defeated first-level allowance opposition going a mile last time out.

◗ Luis Contreras, who inherits the mount from Husbands, combined with trainer Mark Casse to take the Grade 2 Nearctic with 40-1 shot Field of Courage last Sunday.

Meadow Rose, by Ghostzapper Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-76

◗ The main track-only entrant has worked encouragingly since ending up second to a rejuvenated Ghostly Presence on the Tapeta on Sept. 2.