Full Field for Canadian

A field of 11 will vie for a free trip to the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in the GII Canadian S. at Woodbine Sunday.

Strut the Course (Strut the Stage), a narrow victress over subsequent GI Beverly D. S. heroine Watsdachances (Ire) (Diamond Green {Fr}) in the GII Dance Smartly S. at Woodbine July 5, is slightly favored on the morning line at 5-2. The 5-year-old was freshened after finishing a close second behind Uchenna (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) as the 4-5 favorite over the local synthetic in the GIII Ontario Matron S. July 25.

Flaxman homebred Hoop of Colour (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to GI Juddmonte Spinster S. heroine Aruna (Mr. Greeley), began her career in Britain with Lady Cecil, winning two of four career starts as a 3-year-old. Shipped to the U.S. and transferred to Graham Motion for her 4-year-old campaign, she was perfect in a pair of attempts at Santa Anita, including a 12-1 upset in the GII Santa Ana S. most recently Mar. 15. The bay has been training smartly at Motion’s Fair Hill base for her return.

Pin Oak homebred Overheard (Macho Uno), winner of last year’s Dance Smartly, posted her first win of the season last time in a local optional claimer Aug. 26. She was a close third in the GII Nassau S. here May 23. “She likes this course,” trainer Malcom Pierce said. “I don’t think she cares if it’s soft or firm. It’s a tough race. She won her last, but Lexie Lou was scratched and it was only a five-horse field. It wasn’t the best quality of a race, but she still won. I have not worked her since just because I really want her fresh for Sunday. I just hope we don’t get too much rain. That would ruin it for everybody. She’s a hard-trying filly, not very big.”