The fleet-footed filly Caravel (Mizzen Mast) rides a hot streak into her first try for Graham Motion and first at the highest level in the GI Highlander S. at Woodbine. Bred and raced by her previous trainer Elizabeth Merryman, the gray captured The Very One S. at Pimlico May 14 and followed suit with a win in Monmouth's Goldwood S. June 25. Bobby Flay bought into the filly after that score and she carried his silks to victory in Saratoga's GIII Caress S. July 24. While Merryman remains part-owner, Caravel was transferred to Motion after that win as previously agreed upon in the terms of Flay's purchase.
Turned Aside (American Pharoah) seeks redemption in this first try in Grade I company. The handsome bay won four of nine starts for previous trainer Linda Rice, including Saratoga's GIII Quick Call S. and culminating with Aqueduct's Turf Sprint Championship S. last November. Sent through the ring at Keeneland January as part of the dispersal of his late owner Paul Pompa's stock, the 4-year-old summoned $725,000 from West Point Thoroughbreds and D J Stable and was sent to Mark Casse. Turned Aside has not been quite the same horse since leaving New York, finishing fourth in Tampa's Turf Dash S. Feb. 24 and failing to fire when ninth in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 3. He has run well off the layoff in the past and displays a series of strong works over the local synthetic in preparation for this.
City Boy (City Zip) represents the estate of late Woodbine legend Gustav Schickedanz in this event. The hard-knocking 7-year-old has not seen the winner's circle since the 2019 GII Nearctic S., but has finished a close second in this last three outings, most recently in a five-panel turf event here Aug. 1.
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