Real Point just needs clean trip

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Real Point comes off a troubled fifth in her second start this year and should be suited to the longer nine-furlong distance in Friday’s featured first-level optional claimer at Woodbine.

Real Point was a minor player after breaking awkwardly in her two juvenile appearances in the fall. After a winter hiatus, she won her maiden from off the pace at 9-1 in a seven-furlong maiden special April 29.

Real Point went 1 1/16 miles at Friday’s level most recently May 19. She was boxed in through the final furlong before ending up fifth over a speed-favoring track.

Leading rider Rafael Hernandez retains the mount on Real Point for trainer Robert Tiller. They are a combined 4 for 10 at the meet.

Five other 3-year-old fillies were entered in the headliner, which goes as the second on an eight-race card with four turf events.

KEY CONTENDERS

Real Point, by Point of Entry Last 3 Beyers: 64-73-57

◗ Tiller has had a sensational spring, scoring with 15 of 51 starters here, a 29 percent win clip. Last Sunday, he sent out reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd to win the Acheivement Stakes with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

A.A. Azula’s Arch, by Arch Beyers: 66-67-53

◗ She got the winter off after winning her second start when stretching out to a route Nov. 18. She pressed Looking for Woodbine PPs? Visit drf.com/pps

the pace, benefiting from the bias, and was beaten a head May 19, finishing in front of Real Point. This will be her first race with Lasix, and a hot Eurico Da Silva will ride her again for trainer Kevin Attard.

Mo Big Cat, by Uncle Mo Last 3 Beyers: 62-60-56

◗ She has been idle since Sept. 17, when she finished seventh behind the likes of Capla Temptress, Dixie Moon, and future Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Gadot in the Grade 1 Natalma. Her best of two Tapeta races was a third in the restricted Shady Well Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs. L.A. House, by Winslow Homer Last 3 Beyers: 65-64-66

◗ She closed inside against the bias to finish a lapped-on fourth behind A.A. Azula’s Arch and in front of Real Point on May 19. The win-shy gray wintered at Gulfstream, where she ran second or third in several turf races around two turns.

Midnight Flash, by Midnight Lute Last 3 Beyers: 65-63-49

◗ She came from left field to win her first race in a 1 1/16mile maiden special Dec. 9. On May 4, following a fivemonth layoff, she ran evenly for fourth while just behind Fairy Hill, who returned to beat Ontario-sired allowance opposition.