Just Be Kind back with her peers

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Just Be Kind fared okay against older opposition in her last race, which may have set her up nicely for Saturday’s $100,000 Duchess Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Just Be Kind won her first two starts at 2, including the Ontario Debutante Stakes in September. After coming up empty when going long in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes, she closed out her campaign with another dull effort in the seven-furlong Glorious Song Stakes in November.

Just Be Kind showed nothing after an awkward start when she returned from the sidelines on turf in the June 11 Alywow Stakes. She met stakes winners Ami’s Mesa and Neshama last time in a second-level optional claimer and prevailed in a front-end battle before fading to third behind a rejuvenated Ami’s Mesa.

A field of seven was drawn for the Duchess, including the Mark Casse-trained trio of Conquest Vivi, My Arch Enemy, and Superduper Sky.

KEY CONTENDERS

Just Be Kind, by Sky Mesa Last 3 Beyers: 81-60-67

◗ Her trainer, Reade Baker, won consecutive editions of the Duchess with Vestrey Lady and Bear Now in 2006-07.

Conquest Vivi, by Court Vision Last 3 Beyers: 73-60-61

◗ She won her first three outings at 2, including a pair of Ontario-sired stakes, the Nandi and Victorian Queen. This year has been a struggle, however, and she’s been freshened since ending up third as the favorite in the May 27 Lady Angela Stakes. The blinkers go on.

My Arch Enemy, by Arch Last 3 Beyers: 79-85-65

◗ She set a lively pace and weakened to third behind Grizzel and Gale Force two starts back in the allowance prep for the Grade 3 Selene Stakes. Most recently, she led throughout a 1 1/16-mile allowance, scoring by six lengths in 1:45.04.

◗ It appears as though she’s found her calling around two turns, and it will be interesting to see how she does while turning back in distance.

Superduper Sky, by Sky Mesa Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-78

◗ After getting away slowly, she made up ground from eighth place to finish three lengths back in sixth in the Alywow. She was previously fifth in the Selene and won a shorter allowance sprint in her debut at the meet April 22.

Tulsa Queen, by Cactus Ridge Last 3 Beyers: 72-64-57

◗ The invader is coming off a victory in a six-furlong allowance on the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs.

◗ Her trainer, Ryan Walsh, has won three Woodbine stakes, all with Cactus Kris, who was second in the 2014 Duchess.