View From The Booth by WoodbineGeller

With the entire field virtually in a line across the track as they fanned for home in the Wando Stakes before gradual separation in deep stretch, Megagray caught my eye as running above his 8/1 odds. First up at his maiden-breaking distance of 1-1/16m, he looked competitive against 3YOs arguably more seasoned from winter campaigns, certainly runner-up Tiz a Slam and to a lesser extent, winner King and His Court who excelled in this return to Woodbine. Trained by turf specialist, Mike Keogh, Megagray had debuted at 7f on grass and looks primed to handle either surface. The Wando Stakes, merely his third lifetime start, may well represent an important step forward as owner Gustav Shickedanz hopes Megagray can take him from trophy presenter to trophy recipient.

After toiling on the front end with Shakimat in a bitter head-to-head duel, Puntrooskie had no answer when Commute came running by at the end of 6-1/2f,. The half mile time of 44:1 said it all, yet Puntrooskie fought on stoutly to finish a game second, a length and a half clear of Hollywood Hideaway. Proven against stakes level horses, Puntrooskie showed marked improvement from his unplaced effort off the bench in the Jacques Cartier and at six years of age, remains a solid fit in a high end allowance optional claimer.