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Jennifer Morrison's Woodbine Selections: Friday, December 13, 2019

Bet Now > Tips from the Pros > Jennifer Morrison's Woodbine Selections: Friday, December 13, 2019

Jennifer Morrison's Woodbine Selections: Friday, December 13, 2019

December 13, 2019
By Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Morrison's Woodbine Selections: Friday, December 13, 2019
Best Bet – (1) BETWIXTING – Race 6
Spot Play –  (6) BAY HARBOR – Race 8
Pick 4  (.20 cents, Races 4-7)  - 4, 5, 6 / all / 1/ 4, 6 = $9.60
 
 
 
RACE 1 – (4) TWITTER STORM was winning for $40,000 claiming in the summer and she is now offered for $5,000 in this 2019 finale at Woodbine. She had a good effort in her latest for twice this price and most of the Norm McKnight class droppers at this time of year are winning. (3) GIOVANNA PONTI has changed trainers for this 10th outing of the year and she has been in the top three in her last three starts. One of the leading riders, Kazushi Kimura is on board. (5) MIDNIGHT BREW is a tough older mare who has found her way to the bottom claiming level once again and she can pick up some pieces.
 
RACE 2 –  (4) PERFECT FORESTER led for as long as he could in his most recent at seven furlongs and that is a bit too far for him. He shortens up and has speed to track in this second outing at the $9,500 claiming price. (2) DANCING QUIETLY is a stablemate of the top pick and he comes off a huge win over non-winners of three lifetime and jockey Rafael Hernandez seems to have picked this guy over 'Forester'. (3) WALKABOUT CREEK paired up 82 Beyer Speed Figures in his latest win for $5,000 claiming and he is in top form.
 
RACE 3 –  Here is another race with a big favourite from the Norm McKnight barn. (3) SERENGETI CAT was claimed for $15,000 in August and he has run well in four races for the barn. He was in action eight days ago for $40,000 and rallied to be third and now he runs for $14,000 claiming. (6) THE BOSS FACTOR is a 3-year-old making his third start since early September. He fared okay behind the top pick two starts ago and also plunges in class. (2) EXECUTIVE SIGHT has picked up purse shares in most of his races this year without winning and he drops in class.
 
RACE 4 – (6) TRACKING GOLD looks like a standout in this maiden race for $40,000 claiming and he drops from maiden allowance races. He is a bit slow to get going in his races but has been working in good clockings since his latest two months ago. (5) BOKERMIN is logical even if the 1 1/16 mile distance might not be his best trip. (4) G PRINCE OF SILVER is the probable front runner in his first attempt around two turns.
 
RACE 5 – This is a tricky maiden race for $9,500 claiming fillies and mares as most are in dull form or have had many chances. (4) PETITE AMIE has had a lot of chances but came to life last time when third even with the very slow start. (2) MADAME BOVERY is stretching back out to a route distance after two sprints and she does have a 49 Beyer Speed Figure from one of her route races. (8) SOUTH BEACH SASSY had a wide trip in her latest when behind Petite Amie and she has six top three placings in her 17 starts.
 
RACE 6 – (1) BETWIXTING is an attractive filly with talent and she won as expected last time. She was taken off the pace and had quite a bit of work to do into the stretch but she burst to the lead and was impressive. (8) PODGORA was my pick on Dec. 4 and she ran the highest Beyer Figure of her career but a slow start and a tough front runner left her in second place. (5) GOLDMINE GLORY returns to claiming after dropping back early in her latest.
 
Race 7 – (6) GOLDEN VISION is the favourite in this six furlong sprint and is better than these gals having been third in a stakes race recently. She will have to hurry at this distance so she may be a bit vulnerable. (4) I'LL TAKE THE GOLD was easy to like on the class drop and switch to Tapeta last time and she could go gate-to-wire again. (5) PIQUET is climbing up in class again but going forward and this is only her third race since 2018.
 
Race 8 – (6) BAY HARBOR has the classic pattern of a horse that recently came off a long layoff with a big effort and then a regression. She tries a slightly longer sprint distance for trainer Kevin Attard, who is having a career year and she will get blinkers. The Mark Casse-trained pair of (4) JOFUL CAT and (2) SUPER PATRIOTIC are both major contenders as they turn back from route distances and both have Beyer Figures in the high 60s. Also consider (10) and (11) CHOOSE HOPE and SWILLING who have wide posts but are in the hunt.

Photo by John Watkins

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Jennifer Morrison has been a public handicapper for the Toronto Star, Globe & Mail and Daily Racing Form. She is currently a writer for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine, Blood-Horse and Toronto Star and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.    

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