ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The portable rail in the outer lanes enabled speed to be effective of late over Woodbine’s inner turf. The rail has been moved to lane 2 this week, which should be kinder to closers like Tiberius Mercurius in the seventh race going a mile for $25,000 claimers on Friday. With leading rider Sahin Civaci aboard, Tiberius Mercurius is making his first start for high-percentage trainer Jim Ensom, who has fared well with new acquisitions. He took 3 of 10 starts and earned more than $200,000 last year, but the classy 8-year-old has gone winless in five races this season. Tiberius Mercurius missed the board in his last two races against tough $40,000 claimers in New York. His last outing July 24 at Saratoga contained three next-out winners. He has worked twice on the Tapeta this month since shipping into Woodbine. The win-shy veteran Soulmate has been earning his keep and should be a factor in the large field. After placing in back-to-back lower claimers at Turfway in March, he ran competitively in four of his five starts at this stand, all against $25,000 opposition. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Rafael Hernandez will ride Soulmate again for the meet’s third-leading trainer Marty Drexler, who also entered stretch-runner C My Meister. With Leo Salles aboard, C My Meister finished first and second in his last two races at this level, earning a 77 Beyer Speed Figure both times. While not ideal, his outside draw might not be to his disadvantage because of his style, and this second start of his form cycle could be another good one. Among the others entered are closers Philip My Dear, Luckman, C C’s Kingdom, and Guns n’ Rojas. First-time gelding Philip My Dear is an enigma. The 4-year-old was Canada’s champion male 2-year-old in 2022, when he won the Soaring Free and Cup and Saucer. He missed the board in five stakes outings last year, which included the King’s Plate and Plate Trial, and has been out of action since last October. Luckman captured the 2022 Toronto Cup Stakes and was third in the Grade 2 Autumn last fall. The 5-year-old has been a disappointment this year and could only manage seventh when dropping to this level most recently. C C’s Kingdom was knocking on the door at the first allowance condition in his last three appearances at Presque Isle Downs. He got an 80 Beyer when landing his last local start in a July 21 starter-optional claimer on the Tapeta. Guns n’ Rojas has been competing successfully in sprints on turf and the Tapeta for trainer Angus Buntain, who won his first stakes last Sunday with Unbridled Weather in the Frost King. Mad Dog N Joe could vie for the lead with Steak and Cheese, while Grande Soiree tracks them. Completing the field are Sailor’s Passion, Cornwall, and main-track-only runner Sunrise Drive. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.