Overheard to face just four in turf route

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Malcolm Pierce was looking for a confidence-building spot for Grade 2 stakes winner Overheard and has found it in a third-level optional claimer Wednesday night at Woodbine.

Lexie Lou, Canada’s reigning Horse of the Year, was to have made her first start in seven months in the 1 1/16-mile turf route, but trainer Mark Casse announced Monday that she will be scratched, leaving a field of only five. “She was training well leading up to it,” said Casse. “Last week, she scratched her eye, but we treated it, and it got better. Now, it’s swollen shut, but we have an expert from the University of Guelph taking care of her. I don’t think it’s anything serious. She’ll be fine.” Lexie Lou is nominated to next Wednesday’s Halton and Algoma, both stakes for graduates of local yearling sales, along with this Saturday’s Belle Mahone Stakes.

Overheard is winless in three starts this year, but she wound up third behind Sky Treasure and Deceptive Vision in the Grade 2 Nassau here May 23. She has been idle since July 11, when she was a non-threatening fifth in the Grade 3 Modesty at Arlington. The feature is the opener on an otherwise-lackluster eight-race card. Post time is 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS

Overheard (Last 3 Beyer Speed Figures: 81-92-83) The Pin Oak Stable runner has worked regularly on turf and Polytrack leading up to this event, for which she’s eligible due to the clause in the conditions that allows for non-winners since Feb. 26. “She’s training well,” said Pierce.

Winning Rhythm (Last 3 Beyer Speed Figures: 87-83-87) Her last race here July 5 was a decent sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly, from which Watsdachances exited to take the Grade 1 Beverly D. by disqualification. Her last win came in a second-level optional claimer at Santa Anita in October.

Copper Kitten (Last 3 Beyer Speed Figures: 78-88-82) The late bloomer has worked quickly since a subpar showing on Polytrack in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron. She was previously fifth in the nine-furlong Dance Smartly, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by the victorious Canadian champion Strut the Course.

Lynnessa(Last 3 Beyer Speed Figures: 74-80-78) She had a terrible trip last time in the 1 1/16-mile Victoriana Stakes. After getting away slowly, she raced wide throughout and was blocked behind rivals early in the lane before closing for fourth in a 12-horse field of Ontario-sired females.

Save the Park (Last 3 Beyer Speed Figures: 79-85-81) She has been sidelined since a midwinter campaign in Florida and has worked bullets for her return to action.