ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Hallie’s Hero has made a habit of getting to the finish line first at the Woodbine meet, and the versatile veteran should be favored in Friday’s sixth race at Woodbine, a $25,000 claiming sprint on the main turf. Hallie’s Hero was claimed for $15,000 twice in the spring, winning the second of those races after an ideal inside-stalking trip going the 6 1/2-furlong distance of this event on the main turf course. Apprentice Amanda Vandermeersch also was aboard when the 8-year-old finished a flat fifth on July 14 when negotiating two turns on the inner turf, probably not his favorite scenario. Sahin Civaci rode Hallie’s Hero when he prevailed in a starter/optional claimer on the main turf Aug. 4 and then was disqualified to third for causing interference in deep stretch. Vandermeersch was back in the saddle for trainer Marty Drexler most recently when Hallie’s Hero parlayed a ground-saving trip in third into a three-length score. He earned a career-high 89 Beyer Speed Figure in the $25,000 Tapeta sprint, and she retains the mount Friday. Among the others in the eight-horse field are Quite Ready, Richiesinthehouse, Mr Crowley, Lenny K, and Hicksy. Quite Ready failed to find the mark during his winter campaign at Gulfstream Park. He returned from a spring break to win a nonwinners-of-three Tapeta sprint for a $40,000 claiming tag in July and a first-level allowance with a $32,000 claiming option on the grass in August. :: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets. Most recently, in the anchor leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series, Quite Ready finished a dull fifth while not beaten all that far by victorious Red River Rebel. Rafael Hernandez stays aboard Quite Ready for trainer Don MacRae. They are a combined 4 for 17 at the meet, and MacRae has good synthetic to turf numbers. Richiesinthehouse turned heads when he nearly upset the mighty Pink Lloyd in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road in the fall of 2021, his first start off a $62,500 claim. However, it’s been all downhill since then for the classy front-runner, who missed most of 2022 and was unplaced in his first two starts this year. Richiesinthehouse put away the other speed before holding on for second behind Hallie’s Hero on Aug. 26 and has landed in a spot Friday where he can control the front end. Justin Stein will ride the 9-year-old again for trainer David Bell. Mr Crowley may try to go with Richiesinthehouse early. He received a 92 Beyer two back when beating $25,000 claimers after getting pressure on the lead. A subsequent allowance engagement failed to be fruitful, and Rico Walcott inherits the mount from Hernandez. Lenny K, a stretch-runner trained by Kevin Attard, is unplaced in two grass outings. He was second to Mr Crowley in his penultimate race before a slow-starting third behind Hallie’s Hero in his latest. Attard-trained Hicksy, who disappointed in his last two starts, is continuing his slide down the value ladder under new apprentice Pietro Moran, the son of journeyman David Moran. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.