ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hollywood Hit and Essence Hit Man, probably the two fastest sprinters at Woodbine in terms of raw speed, will clash over six furlongs in the $100,000 King Corrie Stakes on Wednesday night.
Hollywood Hit won last year’s King Corrie Sept. 30, while bettering the six-furlong track record, but he was subsequently disqualified from purse money because of a positive drug test for the tranquilizer acepromazine. That track record was quashed, and Hollywood Hit was barred from racing at Woodbine for three months.
Hollywood Hit resurfaced here April 11, when he took the six-furlong Jacques Cartier Stakes. A month later, he ran lights-out in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes, scoring by three lengths in a track-record time of 1:20.07, which earned him a whopping Beyer Speed Figure of 114.
Hollywood Hit has been idle since July 17, when he finished a tired second behind Smokey Fire, after setting rapid fractions in the 6 1/2-furlong Bold Venture Stakes.
Jim McAleney has the mount on Hollywood Hit for trainer Terry Jordan, who also entered Sports Select.
Sports Select has won four of five starts, including a trio of allowances. The 3-year-old is coming off a front-running tally over 5 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs.
Essence Hit Man, trained by Audre Cappuccitti, has won three stakes for 3-year-olds this year. He was also a distant second to Discreetly Mine in the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga, and a fading third in a an allowance route here Sept. 3.
Jockey Chantal Sutherland said she would ideally like to get Essence Hit Man to rate just off Hollywood Hit, which is easier said than done.
“The thing is, when he breaks, he’s three in front,” said Sutherland. “He’s just so quick out of the gate. I’ll stay wide, and see what happens.”
If the speed collapses, then Tend could be along for all the spoils. Tend came from a stalking position to land a seven-furlong optional claimer last time, over next-out winner General Brock.
“If it was seven-eighths, I don’t think they could beat him,” said trainer Don MacRae. “We might as well take a shot. I think he’s the best horse I’ve ever trained.”
Patrick Husbands will ride Tend, who is a half-brother to Grade 1 Whitney winner Blame.
Completing the field is Clarkstoncharm, who has won two Ontario-sired allowances in a row.
