Best Bet – (2) NANA'S GIRL – Race 3
Spot Play – (3) CAN'T HIDE FROM ME – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) - 2, 3, 6, 8 / 2, 4, 8 / 4, 5, 7 / 3, 4, 5 = $21.60
*Races scheduled for grass are handicapped for turf
Race 1 – (5) MOONLIGHT RAIN has steadily improved all season for trainer Mark Casse's team. She was winning for $26,00 claiming in March and recently won an allowance race over Amalfi Coast, now a 2-time stakes winner. (1) LADIES NIGHT has fared well when she is not in a stakes race and she should be on or close to the early pace. Another one who likes to be close to the early pace in 1 1/16 mile races is (6) CRUMLIN QUEEN, who drops out of four consecutive stakes races.
RACE 2 – (3) CANMORE is 4 for 8 on the turf and he has won twice on the inner turf course from his first 2 attempts. He comes off a dull outing on the Tapeta and drops back to $40,00 claiming and perhaps he can bounce back. (6) SURGICAL STRIKE is fresh with just two starts since March and he just won on the inner turf at this $40,00 claiming price. (1) FIRE FOR EFFECT has never placed on grass after five tries but he had a good try on the inner course at this level when claimed by the Drexler barn in July.
RACE 3- (2) NANA'S GIRL not only made a sharp pre-race appearance Oct. 9 in her third race of the year but ran to those looks and won her maiden. She jumps up in claiming price but boasts a 62 Beyer Speed Figure and that is a good rating for this field. (1) JENNY'S VICTORY could be the quickest in the field and she is fresh off a summer vacation. (3) LADY GUSTO has come in from Manitoba and her lone workout on the Tapeta was in a good clocking. She is offered for claiming for the first time since May.
Race 4 - (2) LYRICAL NOTE began his career on grass and won his maiden on the surface. He has been away since August but shows a couple of bullet workouts and he drops in class for trainer Sid Attard. (3) NATURE'S FORTUNE is one of two in this field on the inner turf and Sam-Son Farms and trainer Gail Cox who have had a big year. While jockey Rafael Hernandez seems to have taken the stablemate Western Crusader, this guy almost won his second start of the year and he has worked fast recently. (8) TOWN CRUISE is trying two turns and a route distance for the first time and he comes off a big effort on the main turf with an 82 Beyer Figure.
Race 5 – (3) CAN'T HIDE FROM ME is a Chicago visitor for trainer Larry Rivelli whose horses have done well at Woodbine this season. This 3-year-old tried to keep up to a very fast pace at one mile last time but he is 3 for 3 in sprints. (2) WANDOFUHR had some bad luck at the start of his latest on the inner turf off the layoff. He has posted big Beyer Figures this year without winning and it is the last furlong that he needs to work on. (8) CORDUROY ROAD was easy to like on the grass Sept. 21 and he won as favourite. He is also a 2-time winner on the main track and is holding the hot hand.
Race 6 – This maiden fillies sprint at 5 furlongs is loaded with quick ones from the gate and it could very well set up for (5) VESPERANZA who should enjoy shortening up to this distance. (4) CALL ME MRS. G is very fast but does not need to be on the lead to do well as evidenced by her near miss at six furlongs two starts ago. (7) SPANISH BALLERINA is improving and she should have some late power in her return to the mian track.
Race 7 – (3) DREAMIN ON A CLOUD was a big winner two starts ago over non-winners of 3 and she had trouble in her latest. She drops down to a new low claiming price with Eurico da Silva taking over. (4) MY CANTATA just won for $4,750 claiming, a big class drop for her, and that was her fourth win on the season. She could be good for another. (5) FLORIST had a good workout time on Tapeta Oct. 10 since arriving from Alberta and she comes here in good form.
Race 8 – Will try (5) BENEVIDA again as she was leading late as the even-money favourite last time on the inner turf but was surprised on the wire by a longshot. (9) AMIENS was a few lengths behind the top pick in August and she has had some freshening time and two workouts in good clockings. (3) DANCE THE SKY AWAY has tactical speed and an inside post and she has shown ability in her first three starts.
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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