Without a Doubt elusive target

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The speedy Without a Doubt should be favored in her quest to wire a group of Ontario-sired 2-yearold fillies in Friday’s eighth race at Woodbine, a first-level allowance at six furlongs.

Without a Doubt graduated second time out in a five-furlong dash for $25,000 maidens in July, and then finished third in back-to-back allowances. The first came on turf and was won by the classy Wonder Gadot, and the second was on Tapeta.

Without a Doubt ran a corker Oct. 14 in the six-furlong Victorian Queen Stakes. Over an anti-speed track, she set honest fractions before getting caught on the wire by Line of Vision, who subsequently won another Ontario-sired stakes, the Victorian Queen.

Without a Doubt breezed fiveeighths in a bullet 59.60 seconds Nov. 16 on the Tapeta. Eurico Da Silva, who was aboard for her maiden win, has the mount.

Friday’s nine-race card includes two turf events, which are scheduled to be run with the portable rail at 35 feet.

KEY CONTENDERS

Without a Doubt, by Court Vision Last 3 Beyers: 62-54-58

◗ Dave Cotey recently took over training her from Ralph Biamonte, who is serving a suspension. Cotey found the mark with the Biamonte runner Canadian Club Eh last Saturday.

Mega Monster, by Silent Name Beyers: 59-57-59

◗ She went to the sidelines after ending up second in the July 23 Shady Well Stakes, and ran evenly for fourth off a layoff of nearly three months in the Victorian Queen.

“She did something to her shoulder,” trainer Mike DePaulo said. “We couldn’t really pinpoint it. I sent her out for [testing], and everything was clean. We gave her a little time and rebooted her.”

Fresh Dreams, by Kentucky Bear Beyer: 64

◗ After awaiting room on the turn following a slow start, she closed wide under Rafael Hernandez for a decisive firstout score in a six-furlong maiden special Nov. 11.

◗ Hernandez has a return call. Fresh Dreams’s Hall of Fame trainer, Robert Tiller, is 5 for 14 at the meet when using Hernandez, including a stakes victory last Saturday.

Worlds Your Oyster, by Silent Name Beyers: 53-57

◗ During a driving rainstorm, she rallied inside from third over an anti-speed track to land her Oct. 15 opener in a sixfurlong maiden special. She’s coming off a fading fifth in an open optional claimer traveling seven-eighths.

Close Image, by Badge of Silver Last 3 Beyers: 69-35-36

◗ She was ineffective in Ontario-sired maiden special company before crushing $25,000 maidens by 8 1/2 lengths Sept. 27. This is her first start since then, and she’s been working fast for trainer Sylvain Pion.