Best Bet – (1) DEED'S LEGACY – Race 1
Spot Play – (5) CABERTOSS – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) - 1,2,3,6,7,8 / 5, 11 / 4, 7 /2, 6, 7 = $14.40
Late Pick 4 (.20 cents, races 8-11) - 1, 2 / 2, 3, 5 / 1, 4, 5 /2, 4, 10 = $21.60
Race 1 – (1) DEED'S LEGACY is fresh with just two races this year including a third place finish on the grass in July. She drops to $25,000 claiming and returns to the turf after a wide trip in her latest on the main track. (6) GYPSY JAZZ was favoured for her latest when returning to the turf and she stormed to the lead on the inner turf but was out-nodded a the wire. With regular rider Justin Stein in BC today, leading rider Hernandez is on board. (3) SOUL PLANET is the lone turf winner in the field and she returns to grass and drops in class.
RACE 2 – (9) READY AND WILLING was well bet for her first career start in a five furlong turf dash but she broke a bit slowly. She adds blinkers and takes a big drop to maiden claiming. (3) ECHO IN THE FOREST may appreciate the shorter distance following a good try in her second turf attempt. (7) DANCE THE SKY AWAY has strong turf leanings on both sides of her pedigree and a host of good workout times to match.
RACE 3- (1) MR HUSTLE is the 4 to 5 morning line favourite for the Soaring Free Stakes for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass. He is undefeated in two starts on the main track including an easy score in the Victoria Stakes and he is bred for the grass. (4) PLEASECALLMEBACK is the stablemate of Mr Hustle and he won his career debut on the turf in eye-catching style despite racing greenly. (5) CUCINA comes in from Saratoga for trainer Mark Casse off a minor placing in a Grade 3 stakes race. He is by a very good grass sire in Northern Afleet.
RACE 4 – The first Pick 4 wager begins here with a large field of maidens at 1 1/16 miles. There are many possibilities and a longshot selection is (3) SHOW ME YOUR SPOTS who has improved in his last two starts on Tapeta and grass and he can be considered a top three factor. (2) KEEN ARTIE tries a route race on the Tapeta for the first and he gets a significant class drop from maiden allowance to maiden claiming. (8) BERNOTCHIE also gets his first attempt at a route race on the main track, he adds blinkers and Eurico da Silva stays with this $775,000 purchase. Also consider (1) SKIPPED HIM, (6) BIG HAMBONE and (7) SECRET PATH for various exotic bets.
Race 5 – (5) CABERTOSS was an impressive debut winner on Tapeta and then did okay in a longer race second time out. He shortens up and moves to grass and he is by an average turf sire but a half brother to turf stakes winner Sky Blazer. (11) FIRST CRUSADER was visually impressive closing ground on the grass last time out. (9) KING OTTOKAR is one of two invaders for trainer Mark Casse and both of them won maiden races on turf. Also consider(4) WANDOFUHR who has been second, third and fourth in his three races this season and just needs a bit more stamina.
Race 6 – (7) PINKY DUDE had a pleasing career debut behind a fast debuting 2-year-old and he had an above average workout time since that opener. (4) RED RETURN is by a superb sire of 2-year-old debut winners in Signature Red and he has a lot of speed on the dam's side of his pedigree. (2) NORTHERN SOLUTION may want more distance but this long striding colt worked two furlongs in a quick 22 2/5 for a juvenile sale in June in Florida.
Race 7 – (7) SEATTLE TREASURE is a two-time turf winner who drops to $25,000 claiming and he almost won at this level in June. (6) THEREGOESJOJO is on a roll now with two straight wins including one on the grass. (2) MIRACLE SILVER was claimed for the second time in his last three races on July 14 and he has run well on turf.
Race 8- Maidens on the grass and (2) JUST LIKE LARRY and (1) TRACKING GOLD were alongside each other in a one-mile turf event on the E P Taylor turf July 21 when second and third. They move to the inner turf where the former may have an advantage with a bit more natural speed. (11) HEY CONGRATS is a first time starter from a wide post but he has a litany of strong workout times. He is modestly bred for grass but is worth a look for exotics.
Race 9 – The 1 1/2 mile Flaming Page Stakes on the grass has a small field and most of the gals don't have much early speed. (5) LACUSTRE is improving for trainer Roger Attfield and is stakes placed at the distance on the grass. She gets a slight nod over (3) PAMINA who came in and won the Matron here on Tapeta last month and she loves grass too. The distance would be a question for her. (2) WAR CABINET comes in for top US trainer Shug McGaughey and she has been developing well.
Race 10 – (4) LAUDERDALE drops in claiming price for his third start of the year and he showed improvement last time in a grass race. He took his only win on this surface, the Tapeta. (1) EBORACUM won his maiden with this rider, Rafael Hernandez, last season in his third race and he drops for this third outing of 2019. (5) SAINTS MARCHING IN is a Mark Casse trainee who plunges in class and has some early speed.
Race 11 – (10) FOLLOW MY LEAD came from miles behind and very wide to land in mid pack two starts ago on turf. Two horses came out of that race to win their next starts. He has to hurry but keep him on your short list of contenders. (4) INTENT TO STRIKE beat the pick in that race with an inside, stalking trip. (2) CAUSE OF
ACTION won his grass debut in a good clocking and he may be able to handle the move forward in class.
Mr. Will Wong photo
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros