Kylla Instinct sitting on a win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kylla Instinct has been knocking on the door in second-level optional-claiming company at Woodbine, and may have found a field that she can topple at that level going 1 1/16 miles on the grass at Woodbine on Friday.

Kylla Instinct nearly upset 2017 Queen’s Plate winner Holy Helena in that rival’s turf debut on Feb. 4 at Gulfstream. Kylla Instinct’s last victory came there in early December.

When returning to the local scene June 2, Kylla Instinct finished third behind Liberty Kitten and You’re Mine after a three-wide stalking trip. Most recently on June 29, she checked in second after closing four wide under leading rider Rafael Hernandez, who retains the mount when Kylla Instinct runs with a $60,000 tag on Friday.

A field was seven was drawn for the feature, which will be contested in lane 4 for a base purse of $62,300.

KEY CONTENDERS

Kylla Instinct, by Kyllachy Last 3 Beyers: 80-77-78

◗ Trainer Roger Attfield possesses good numbers with 31- to 60-day comebackers, and the Hall of Famer has kept the 5-year-old busy in the mornings. She worked a half-mile on the Tapeta in 46.80 on July 21, and then breezed five-eighths in a bullet 59.20 a week later on the turf training course.

Juenesse Doree, by Dream Ahead Last 3 Beyers: 79-81-77

◗ She cleared the first allowance condition at Gulfstream in her penultimate race, and the runner-up exited to score at the same optional-claiming class. In her local debut, she dropped back from an early stalking position and closed for fourth behind Kylla Instinct on June 29.

◗ After working her twice on the Tapeta in recent weeks, trainer Mark Casse is putting blinkers on her.

You’re Mine, by Congrats Last 3 Beyers: 69-79-74

◗ She ran the first clunker of her career when sixth behind Kylla Instinct June 29, but she defeated that rival when second after closing from off slow fractions the time before.

◗ This third race of her form cycle could be a peak one under the red-hot second-leading rider Eurico Da Silva. Mozambique Gold, by Northern Afleet Last 3 Beyers: 67-79-69

◗ The 6-year-old is exiting the best race among any of these. She made a four-wide bid into contention before flattening out to fifth going seven furlongs at this condition. The winner, Way to Versailles, returned to take the Grade 2 Royal North Stakes, and runner-up Black Canary subsequently ran second at Saratoga.

Havana Dream, by Quality Road Last 3 Beyers: 72-65-80

◗ The stakes-placed mare didn’t show much in her last two outings, but three starts back she finished a clear second in an optional claimer at the Fair Grounds March 15.

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