Races taken off inner turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A host of races scheduled for the inner turf in the coming weeks have been transferred to either the main turf or the Tapeta due to upkeep that will be performed on the seven-furlong course. Some races scheduled for the inner turf have been listed with an alternative surface in case the maintenance is ongoing when they are held.

Last Thursday, a horse appeared to slip and fall on the far turn on the inner turf. The same thing happened with favored Bramble Queen in last Saturday’s Eternal Search Stakes. Saturday’s nightcap, which was scheduled for the inner turf, was moved to the Tapeta, as were the three inner turf events on Sunday’s card.

A press release put out by Woodbine stated: “Since its debut last summer prior to the Queen’s Plate, we have run 172 races on the inner turf course, and it has proved to be a very safe and consistent course. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and due to the natural evolution of the surface, we will be performing maintenance on the course to ensure it continues to be as safe as possible for our horses and riders. The maintenance is being completed in consultation with leading turf and track safety experts. We anticipate it will take a few weeks and are targeting to have the work completed prior to the [Sept. 12] Queen’s Plate.”

This Thursday’s four inner turf races were switched to the

Tapeta, including the final leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series.

Summer Sunday being rested

Trainer Stuart Simon was pondering running last year’s Canadian champion female sprinter Summer Sunday around two turns in last Saturday’s Eternal Search, but ultimately decided to bypass the Ontario-sired stakes.

“This hot weather just doesn’t agree with her,” Simon said. “That’s what’s been the issue with her. It causes her to thump and stuff, so she’s been off of Lasix. I just need to give her some time. There’s still races for her in the fall.”

The Simon-trained Rose’s Vision ended a long drought when capturing a second-level allowance at seven furlongs on the grass Aug. 16. His previous win came last August in the restricted Better Talk Now Stakes at Saratoga.

“He had a throat surgery last year, and I think he finally got his confidence back,” Simon said.

Simon sent out the two-time stakes winner Sister Peacock to land a second-level allowance in her June 13 season opener, after which she finished fifth in back-to-back graded stakes. Simon is eyeing the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion on Sept. 26 with the speedy 4-yearold, who might be at her best going the six-furlong distance of that stakes.

“I’m not against running her against the boys either, in something like the Nearctic Stakes,” Simon said.