Best Bet – (8) SOUPER COHIBA – Race 2
Spot Play – (5) TRICKY MAGICIAN – Race 9
Today's play: Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 1, 6, 9 / all / 1, 2, 3, 6 / 7 = $19.20
(*selections done for turf)
Race 1 – (3) SOUPER RIVER elected a speed style last time after his maiden win and he was edged only late in a quick event. He has the best last-race Beyer Figure in this sprint. (1) GALVASTON has been a model of consistency and was recently a closing second in the restricted Lake Huron Stakes on turf. He should handle the move to six furlongs.(4) JOCULARITY tries six furlongs for the first time after a chasing third in the Lake Huron Stakes on turf last time. (7) STORMY SOUL showed promise as a juvenile in 2019 and raced sparingly last year. He has a new trainer for 2021 in Kevin Attard and he is offered for claiming for the first time.
Race 2- (8) SOUPER COHIBA loves an all weather track. He was here for a turf race to begin his 2021 season and then just missed at Presque Isle 18 days ago when back on Tapeta. In that last race, three of the other five horses in the field came right back to win their next starts. (3) KNOPFLER just won a non-winners of 2 at this claiming price of $10,00 on a less-than-firm turf last time and he should be okay with the move to the Tapeta. (5) TALLESTOFTHETALL is back on Tapeta after another flat run on turf which he does not seem to love. He drops in class and has speed to run at. (1) FINAL STRIKE gave turf a short last time after winning the first two starts of his year and he is quickly back on the main track.
Race 3- Two-year-olds on the grass and Mrs. John Magnier's (4) GRAFTON STREET debuted as favourite at Belmont in an off-the-turf race in slop and was very wide but ran well. He has impeccable turf breeding. (1) RAPPER ZAPPER is a full brother to Grade 2 turf stakes winner Holy Helena who also won the Queen's Plate. (3) LUCKMAN, who has a long stride and carries his head low, looked good in a fast workout at a sale in Ocala and he has lots of grass breeding. (8) BE LIKE CLINT debuted two weeks ago and had a slow start but landed fourth. He is bred for turf.
Race 4- The $100,000 Algoma Stakes begins the Pick 4 and this is a seven furlong event for yearling sale graduates. (6) LORENA took her undefeated record into the Woodbine Oaks but after leading to the final turn, she faded. She returns to a one-turn distance and is second-time with Lasix. (9) DANCE WITH DESTINY is a maiden who likes turf but she exits some hot races and shortens up to one turf. Her dam bear's Gem loved a main track sprint.(1) JILLI MARIE, like the pick, was unbeaten heading into the Oaks but she trailed after a miscue at the start. These are more her kind. (8) OWEN'S TOUR GUIDE is an improving filly who can scrap it out for a share.
Race 5 –(3) STRONGER TOGETHER has had some nifty workouts getting ready for his debut including a move July 31 beating a workmate. His sire has done well with his grass starters and the mare won on turf as did her first foal, Reign by Rein. (1) DIAMOND CITY adds blinkers after a good chasing run in his debut and the winner came back to win a stakes races. (2) BILL NEEDLE is by high class sire Distorted Humor and is a half brother to Breeders' Stakes winner Belichick and another grass stakes winner, Season Ticket. (7) DANIEL SUN is by super sire Kitten's Joy and is a half brother to champion Curlin's Voyage.
Race 6 –The $100,000 Elgin Stakes has some promising fellows in the field such as (1) SECRET RESERVE who impressed in his second win July 24. (6) MASON'S GAMBLE is 2 for 2 this year and beat older horses in a key race last time. (2) JELGO was a smart debut winner July 24 in fast time. (3) PERFECT CRIME was edged by Mason's Gamble in July and he may not have liked the 'off 'turf last time.
Race 7 – (2) COLLECTIVE FORCE was the best horse July 31 in a maiden track maiden allowance at nine furlongs but he had a world of traffic trouble. He is bred for grass so don't worry about his turf debut. His stablemate (4) OPUS NORTH is an older maiden who has come close to winning in long grass races. (6) HIATUS might be most tested by the 10 furlong furlong distance but he is a promising guy. (1) MARITIME MISSION has some grass breeding and may like the 10 furlong distance.
Race 8 – This is the $200,000 Muskoka Stakes for 2-year-old fillies and there are many possibilities. (3) BAKSHEESH is back in two weeks after a fast rally to be second in a maiden race. If she handles the quick return she has pace to run at and should be charging. (6) FOREST B is one of just two winners in the field and she is fast and gets Lasix. (4) FUN COOL was impressive in her debut despite the low Beyer Figure. (8) ONEOFTHEMGIRLS might have been best first time out and then was used up on the pace in her local debut.
Race 9 – This is a wide open turf sprint and the return to grass could get (5) TRICKY MAGICIAN rover the hump and get a long awaited win. The same can be said for (3) THERE'S NO JOE who is 1 for 1 on the turf. (6) FOUR ACES HIGH loves a turf sprint but he has to avoid getting burned out in a speed duel. (9) GOLDMINE CAT woke up with a big win on Tapeta last time and he handles grass.
Race 10 – The $200,000 Simcoe Stakes for juvenile males has a field of 11 and just one winner, (1) CHAIRMAN BOB who had the rail post that day, was slow early and then blew by the field to win nicely. (8) WHERE'S NEAL is a beginner by a high percentage juvenile debut sire and the mare's 6 winners include current unbeaten sophomore filly Miss Speedy. (9) MIDNIGHT ARKLE is a half brother to 8 winners including stakes winner Bear's Gem and he has had good workout times. (11) SUPER HEADLINE has had plenty of sharp workout times and he is by a good juvenile debut sire in Giant Gizmo.
Race 11 – (4) FORESTER'S DESTINY, a classy 10-year-old, was scheduled to race two weeks back but he got loose pre-race and had to be scratched. He is going shorter than he likes in this turf sprint but drops in class. (3) ANOTHER led all the way around two turns on the inner turf course to win his latest over a similar group of rivals. He switches to a one-turn turf dash on the Taylor course which is a much different type of race but there is not a lot of pace in the race and perhaps he can double up. (8) BOLD ANIMAUX likes the Woodbine turf and he is in good form at Fort Erie. (2) VICTOR'S DESTINY is the main speed of the race and may go a long time up front. Also consider (10) COURTLY MANNER in exotic wagers.
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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 CanadianThoroughbred.com, Blood-Horse and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
Photo by Mr. Will Wong
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