Mattine says Oaks likely for Justleaveitalone

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer John Mattine said he’s leaning toward running the improving Tapeta lover Justleaveitalone in next Saturday’s $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.

Justleaveitalone was bought privately by owner Ron Paolucci after her solid second to Fast Scene in her debut in the My Dear Stakes here in July 2019. She didn’t show a whole lot in her next five starts, which came on dirt and turf at Gulfstream and Churchill, but has blossomed since joining Mattine’s barn here this summer.

Justleaveitalone nearly upset the reigning Canadian champion 2-year-old filly, Curlin’s Voyage, when second in the seven-furlong Fury Stakes on July 5. She came back to beat older rivals last Sunday in a maiden special going the nine-furlong distance of the Oaks with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure, which wasn’t far off the 87 Beyer she received in the Fury.

A daughter of Creative Cause, Justleaveitalone was a mere $6,000 yearling purchase at the Fasig-Tipton October sale by Nick Gonzalez. She hails from the quality Sam-Son Farm family of Canadian champions Catch the Ring and Catch the Thrill.

“She’s a big, gangly filly,” Mattine said. “She absolutely loves the [Tapeta] surface. I’d be curious to see what she does on the turf here. That might be another option, but right now, we’ll stick to the synthetic.”

Justleaveitalone is not nominated to the Oaks and would have to be supplemented at the time of entry for $12,500.

Curlin’s Voyage, who breezed

five-eighths in 1:00 on Monday, should be favored in the Oaks. Other Oaks prospects include Lasting Union, Merveilleux, Infinite Patience, and Owlette.

Silver Dhalia tries turf

Mattine will saddle longshot Silver Dahlia in Saturday’s headliner, a six-furlong allowance for fillies and mares on the main turf. She has yet to compete on the grass. Her sire, Silver Max, was a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, but he’s yet to sire a turf winner.

Silver Dahlia hasn’t started since a seventh-place finish in a first-level allowance on the dirt Feb. 28 at Gulfstream.

Revivalist is coming off a blowout maiden victory in a five-furlong dash on the inner turf for Ontario-sired runners and $40,000 claimers. A daughter of leading sire Into Mischief, Revivalist was third on the main course in her debut.

Double Medal is changing surfaces for her second run of the meet after a non-effort on opening day. The well-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro earned black type when second in the William D. Graham Memorial Stakes on this course in the spring of 2019.

The consistent Betwixting is sent out by the leading turf trainer at the meet, Marty Drexler. She was second in her season opener on the inner course in the first turf start of her career, after which she ran third on the Tapeta.