By Christie DeBernardis
Six-time Sovereign award-winning trainer Mark Casse has two chances to secure his fifth victory in Woodbine's GIII Grey S. Sunday. Sir Winston (Awesome Again) was off the board in his first two starts–debuting in a dirt sprint at Churchill Downs June 14 and then running in a two-turn turf test at Saratoga July 21. However, the chestnut showed a liking for the Woodbine synthetic last time, breaking his maiden in a dead-heat going a mile and 70 yards here Sept. 12.
Stablemate Chuck Willis (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is new to North America, having made his first four starts in Europe for trainer Charlie Hills. Graduating at second asking at Ayr June 23, the bay was second in the Rose Bowl S. at Newbury July 20 and was off the board in the G2 Gimcrack S. at York Aug. 24. This will be his try on synthetic and around two turns as all of his previous races have been turf sprints and he receives Lasix for the first time.
Augustin Stable's Nashtrick (Hat Trick {Jpn}) also adds Lasix here, as well as blinkers, and is attempting synthetic for the first time in a race, but has worked on the local main several times. A debut winner on the Woodbine lawn Aug. 24, the Josie Carroll pupil was third last time in the GI Summer S. Sept. 16.
Also of interest is Solidify (Tapizar), who graduated by a length at odds of 11-1 in his 6 1/2-panel debut over this strip Sept. 23 and enters off a five-panel bullet on the training track in 1:00 (1/13) Oct. 14. Fellow first-out victor Jammin Still (Take Charge Indy) overcame 18-1 odds to capture his one-mile turf unveiling here Sept. 28.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
