Race 1 – (5) VEDDER is a first-time starter for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield and this gelding gets a slight nod in a tricky race to decipher. He is from a mare who won first time out in her career and has produced 4 winners including a graded stakes placed horse. The works for this guy have been fast. (3) BERNOTCHIE was a $775,000 purchase as a 2-year-old two years ago and he recently returned from a two-year-layoff in a turf race at Gulfstream. (4) KEON will wear blinkers for his second start of the season and he had early trouble on his way to his third place finish in his 2019 opener.
Race 2- Two-year-old fillies at 4 1/2 furlongs and Ontario-sired (4) WEST PAW is by a promising Ontario sire, Frac Daddy, and from a mare who won 3 of 12 races. Her workout times from early March when in Florida training have been solid. (5) PUSHOVER comes north for trainer Wesley Ward and she had blinding speed out of the gate in a recent Belmont turf dash. (9) INVODKAWETRUST is a beginner by Grade 2 sprinting stakes winner Trappe Shot and she has had some good workout times for trainer Norm McKnight (who has 32% winners from debut starters).
Race 3 – (3) CONGENIALITY chased front running Opeongo home when they met May 3 in a similar $10,000 claiming race. This Colebrook Farms mare may be able to turn the tables as the distance is half a furlong longer. (5) OPEONGO led all the way to win second time out this season and will be tough as the probable one pace runner again. (6) SING TO RUN has been known to run well in the spring but her first start of the year was messed up when she had a miscue out of the gate.
Race 4 – (6) GUITAR GEORGE put up his highest Beyer Speed Figure off the winter layoff last May. He doesn't win very often but dips a bit in claiming price for the red-hot Robert Tiller barn. (8) BET ON MIKE is the front running presence in this 1 1/16 mile race and he trained in Florida in the winter. He drops several class levels for his return. (4) BADJEROS BOY made one start at Oaklawn Park in late April for trainer Norm McKnight but didn't seem to like the dirt track. He has worked fast since coming back to his home track.
Race 5 – (8) SCAT BIG DAD was a recent claim by Norm McKnight at Oaklawn. The 4-year-old showed big speed in his latest in a tough maiden allowance and he tries Tapeta for the first time and returns to maiden claiming. (4) ARGENTIUM ended last season with a smart runner-up finish at this level and distance and he had a big workout time on May 12. (2) ZOOMER MUSIC has many good workout times for trainer Mark Casse and he is the first foal of a winning mare and by the good local sire Silent Name (Jpn).
Race 6 – (1) UNO CHAMP had a sprint race to begin his season and he finished just a neck out of third place. He will enjoy moving out to 1 1/16 miles and is one of several possibilities in this wide open $15,000 claiming race. (6) STREET CHOPPER tumbles in claiming price, adds blinkers and has been recently gelded. He should be close to the early pace as he tries a two-turn distance for the first time. (8) TOXICOLOGIST has not raced since September and he has only competed on the grass but he was a steady performer in just three starts in 2018.
Race 7- (6) WHAT A BEAUT is one of two gals in the field for trainer Mark Casse. This one won first time out in December at odds of over 50 to 1! She is making her Woodbine and Tapeta debut and should handle the change in scenery. (4) WINGS OF DAWN came to life in her Woodbine and Tapeta debut on May 3, winning her maiden despite some trouble. The $600,000 yearling purchase was 9 to 1 that day but will be one of the favourites. (2) CANADIAN MAGIC, like Wings of Dawn, won her first try at Woodbine after winning two grass races for claiming in Florida. She handles longer distances just fine. (
Race 8 – The 7 furlong Queenston Stakes is for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds and you may see a few of these advance to the Queen's Plate on June 29. (4) MY SILENCER rolled to a handy win in his first start for new trainer Mark Casse when he led all the way. The fellows to his inside will go quick on the pace it seems and he should sit a nice stalking trip. (3) SOUPER SUCCESS reeled in the fading speed in the Woodstock Stakes in a huge 3-year-old debut run. (5) DUN DRUM is getting his first start of the season and he defeated My Silencer in the 1 1/16 mile Kingarvie Stakes in his last appearance.
Race 9 - (1) NIIGON'S BAY has had any number of superb workout times this spring for trainer Rachel Halden. This mare only raced three times last season but she runs well when she is fresh and she won three races in 2017 with Patrick Husbands riding. (6) RINCE TAPAIGH was a four-time winner in 2018 and just about won her season debut last May. (7) LADY BELLA will likely to try to use her early speed as she gets back to a race for fillies and mares. She has a fitness edge with three starts in 2019.
Race 10 – It should be a nice day for (3) WHITE WEDDING who is overdue for his maiden win but ran well in his return on Apr. 28 when third. Moving out to 7 furlongs is ideal if he takes his time and he had a fast recent workout time. (8) VICTOR'S WAY led almost all the way when second and ahead of White Wedding. The longer distance could be a challenge. (9) PERSONAL JOURNEY did not show much last year but gets the biggest drop in racing (maiden allowance to maiden claiming) and he adds blinkers for a shrewd trainer. For the High 5 wager consider including (4) STASH THE CASH and (6) CHEEK TO CHEEK.
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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John Watkins photo
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