by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — With just five starts to her credit thus far, Tuscan Gal is facing the biggest test of her young career this Saturday, October 25, when she steps onto the Woodbine oval to contest the C$616,000 Goldsmith Maid stakes final for freshman trotting fillies.

New Image Media photo

Tuscan Gal and driver Trevor Ritchie will be seeking the Goldsmith Maid crown on Saturday at Woodbine.

Fortunately, Tuscan Gal has several things going for her. First, she’ll have Trevor Ritchie, known for his deft touch with trotters, in the bike to guide her. Second, she’s drawn the plum post position two, just to the outside of Elusive Desire, whom she defeated in last week’s elimination by a head. And third, according to trainer Mark Steacy, the fact that she’s lightly raced to this point means that she will be fresh and ready for the challenge.

“She was staked in Quebec,” he notes, “but that didn’t work out, obviously. So she was sent to me, and I spent July just schooling her and bringing her along slowly. She didn’t make her first start until August.

“She was in the Peaceful Way elims, but she only had a start or two at that point and raced a little green. She did win the consolation, and she just won the Roger White stake back in Montreal on October 5. So I think she’s ready for this company, though there are lots of nice fillies in there. Kelly O’Donnell’s filly, Up Front Annika, has been good all year, and Elusive Desire has been really consistent as well and is probably due for a win.

“Tuscan Gal can race either way, though I think she’s probably best from off the pace. The only thing about her is she can be a little aggressive off the gate. I’ll let Trevor handle that.”

Should the daughter of Andover Hall-Duxelle Hanover live up to her 7-2 favorite status in this field, she may be pointed next for the Matron Stakes at Dover, and the Breeders Crown to wind out the year.

“She’s not a big-framed filly, so we’re being careful about how much pressure we put on her, but if she continues to develop she could be a top player next year,” Steacy says. “Her owners (Hudson Standardbred Stables Inc. and Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc.) are pretty excited about her.”

The Goldsmith Maid, part of the C$2.7 million Fall Four card this Saturday, October 25, at Woodbine, is race four, post time 8:37 p.m. (EDT).

Don’t forget that Woodbine will also be celebrating Oktoberfest on Saturday night, with dancers, an oom-pah-pah band, sausage and sauerkraut, and a beer stein giveaway.