Princess Royal will be elusive target

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Princess Royal nearly won her second race of the Woodbine meet when she switched to the grass July 14. She should be a serious speed threat again in Friday’s headliner, a nonwinners-of-three turf route for Ontario-sired allowance types and $40,000 claimers.

Princess Royal ran the race of her life three starts back when she wired non-winnersof-two Ontario-sired allowance stock on the main track, scoring by five lengths with a 79 Beyer Speed Figure. She faded to fourth after getting hounded on the lead in her first try at this level June 17 but then rebounded when she lost by a neck in the best of her three turf efforts.

Going from 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles on Friday isn’t ideal for Princess Royal, but the 5-year-old mare figures to take some catching if she brings her “A” game.

Post time for the first race

Friday is 3:45 p.m. Eastern, and the feature goes as race 7 on an eight-race program.

KEY CONTENDERS

Princess Royal, by Philanthropist Last 3 Beyers: 74-64-79

◗ A hot Luis Contreras retains the mount. He is 0 for 3 at the meet for Princess Royal’s trainer, Robert Rose, who is 3 for 31 on turf over the past five years, with a return on investment of $2.11.

Miss Mandate, by Pioneerof the Nile Last 3 Beyers: 68-37-66

◗ She was in poor form at Gulfstream before returning here June 25, when she prevailed with a $40,000 claiming tag at this level on the Tapeta. That was her first start under Rafael Hernandez, who has the call again on Friday for leading trainer Mark Casse. Hernandez is 2 for 10 at the meet for Casse.

Phil’s Glory, by Philanthropist Last 3 Beyers: 39-68-67

◗ She ended a long drought when she beat non-winners-oftwo Ontario-sired allowance opposition June 17 but showed nothing after getting bumped at the break when turning back from a route to seven furlongs in her latest. She finished fourth in each of her turf outings, both in 2016.

Lovin Spoon Phil, by Philanthropist Last 3 Beyers: 74-65-62

◗ She was in solid form on the main track before finishing a close fourth on turf July 14 behind Princess Royal and the victorious Luckbe Tanya, who was taking a significant drop in class.

Little Christmas, by Victor’s Cry Last 3 Beyers: 71-74-58

◗ She was fifth as the favorite on firm turf in the July 14 event but beat non-winners-of-two rivals the time before on “good” turf.