Toriaezu Nama tests turf for first time

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After winning a key race on the Tapeta on May 22, Toriaezu Nama will experiment on the grass Friday at Woodbine in a non-winners-of-three combo sprint for Ontariosired allowance horses and $40,000 claimers.

A lightly raced 4-year-old trained by Lorna Perkins, Toriaezu Nama graduated second time out in the spring of last year, then went to the sidelines. She was surprisingly favored against the boys off an 11-month layoff April 29. She began slowly before fading from a stalking position to finish fourth behind top two finishers Gigantic Breeze and Niigon Road, who both came back to score.

Most recently, against her own sex in another $40,000 optional claimer, Toriaezu Nama was dismissed at a generous 6-1. After tracking the early leader, she came out and bumped a rival before going on to a one-length tally over Bearsatlanticmist, who subsequently romped in an open allowance. Phil’s Glory, Princess Royal, and Madison Way all exited that event to win at the same level.

Eight races were drawn for Friday, including the first $5,000 claimer here in decades.

KEY CONTENDERS

Toriaezu Nama, by Milwaukee Brew Last 3 Beyers: 72-57-72

◗ Her sire has gotten nearly 12 percent first-time turf winners, and his progeny have won at a 13 clip overall on grass. Her turfplaced dam produced the useful Just Coz, who won her first turf start in her ninth outing and was trained by Perkins.

Miss Sea, by Marchfield Last 3 Beyers: 68-69-65

◗ She has been idle since last June, when she lost an entry-level allowance by a head as the favorite. Her résumé includes thirds in two restricted stakes, the Passing Mood and Eternal Search.

◗ Trainer Mike Keogh has been working her on the turf training track and the dirt training track. She breezed five-eighths in a bullet 59 seconds on dirt June 10.

Rainbows Ahead, by Awesome Again Last 3 Beyers: 62-58-54

◗ She’s jumping up off a win and a $20,000 claim by trainer Nick Gonzalez, who has a 24 percent success rate the first time off the claim over the past five years, with a return on investment of $4.25.

Pure Purity, by Perfect Soul Last 3 Beyers: 66-66-53

◗ The miler is coming off a distant fifth on the grass, over which she finished third in last year’s La Prevoyante Stakes.

◗ The 6 1/2-furlong distance of Friday’s feature is a little short for her.

Bella Fabiana, by Court Vision Last 3 Beyers: 68-68-64

◗ She awaited room on the turn before closing for second on the Tapeta last time out.