Best Bet – (7) MONASTERY LANE – Race 8
Spot Play – (2) MAXIMUS MOMENTUS – Race 3
Today's Play, Pick 4 (.20 cents, races 4-7): 3, 8, 10 / all / 1, 4, 7 / 1 = $18.00
*Selections done for turf
Race 1 — (6) I'M NOT PERFECT has done well in two maiden turf sprints and shortening up to five furlongs should be perfect for her. (1) CORA should be close to getting that first win and she can contend whether this race stays on turf at 5 furlongs or moves to the Tapeta. (7) IS THERE A FOREST is quick and has some grass breeding so put her in trifectas. First time starter (2) NINJA PRINCESS is by a high percentage grass sire and from a mare who won four times on turf.
Race 2 — Guessing game if races will be on the turf. The safe pick for my purposes is (5) ENDORPHIN RUSH who won on grass two starts back and just missed on Tapeta last time. (3) ERASMO'S GIRL gets some class relief and she has a strong stretch run on Tapeta. (6) REIGN BY REIN will enjoy getting a bit more distance and she comes out of a very fast grass sprint. (1) SO ELUSIVE would be a player if the race stays on the grass and she gets to use her speed.
Race 3 — If (2) MAXIMUS MOMENTUS is comfortable at this 1-1/16 mile distance on Tapeta (he won around two turns on the inner turf) then he will be tough to beat. He comes off a sharp effort in his return to the main track. (1) DADDYPLAYSTHEBLUES has some speed to run at and he drops to a new low claiming level. (6) SAMUEL H has to avoid getting caught up in a pace battle, but he handles the route distance and the main track okay. (3) BIG TIME GIZMO drops from a non-winners of 3 to a non-winners of 2 and is in good form.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 begins here and let's put a line through the last race of (3) BOXER BRIEF who was outrun on a speed favouring track and then ran into a wall of horses turning for home. (10) JACK woke up with a big rally last time in a turf sprint, and this will be his first Tapeta outing since his debut in June 2020. (8) BEYOND THE BUDGET ran a big race in his debut more than a year ago but has not been seen since. He shows good workout times. (7) SUNRISE DRIVE finished well in his most recent race at this level against a speed bias.
Race 5 — (5) VERDEJO is improving with each outing and this juvenile filly led late in a turf sprint last time and now shortens to five furlongs. (4) YA MAR gets Lasix and she had speed in the same race that the top pick was in and was about four lengths behind that one at the finish. (9) GOOGLY EYES is a flashy chestnut with loads of pedigree power. She is bred for grass and has speed in her breeding too. (6) INTO EMPIRES SONG shows fast workout times, although she is bred for a bit more distance.
Race 6 — I am going back with (2) TWISTER ALERT who was my best bet Sept. 5 but she simply got going too late at 5-1/2 furlongs. She moves out to 6-1/2 furlongs and she should be able to get her maiden win. (4) BIG GINGER did okay in the Algoma Stakes last time and didn't lose ground in the stretch run as she has been doing. (7) DREIDEL was a $550,000 yearling purchase and she is by top sire Curlin and from a stakes winning mare bred for grass. (1) STENCIL had a wide journey in her debut when bet down as a lukewarm favourite.
Race 7 — The $125,000 Duchess Stakes has a nice field of 3-year-old fillies and the impressive (1) LADY WAR MACHINE won a stakes race on turf in only her second race of the year after a strong maiden win on Tapeta. (3) HAZELBROOK is very talented and went around fillies while just galloping in her latest win. (6) MISS SPEEDY went far too fast on the pace in the Bison City Stakes and she loses the blinkers and shortens up in distance. (4) LORENA is a two-time stakes winner this year at this seven furlong distance.
Race 8 — (7) MONASTERY LANE has been in the top three 5 times in 6 grass races without winning. She has been closing ground in her last pair and should get it done. (6) CLEOMENES came from Post 11 to win her maiden in a one-turn turf race just two weeks ago. (1) SOUPER PECAN has been in super form all season. (5) MEET THE SOPPRANO was on the edges in a very fast turf sprint last time.
Race 9 — Superstar (4) PINK LLOYD was likely best in Grade 3 Vigil Stakes last time but had a messy trip. He is fresh and ready to go, seeking his second straight Bold Venture Stakes. With Pinky being the most likely speed in the field a closer to look at is (3) CASH DIVIDEND who is in the best form of his career right now. (1) MAGICAL MAN is a longshot play for the trifecta as he is rounding into better form. (5) LUCKY CURLIN won his season debut Aug. 20 on turf and has some back class.
Race 10 — (8) SMALL TALK finally won his maiden last time and he did it on the inner turf. He is hoping the race stays on the inner course as he comes in with his confidence high. (7) BROADWAY was flat in his return from a layoff but he will move up a bit if the race stays on the grass. (9) SHANGASSAH continues to try hard in his races on turf and Tapeta and is reliable for a top three placing. (11) JUAN PABLO has been doing well since he came to Woodbine in the summer and he should be rallying for a prize. (4) MUCHKOVA is listed as a first time gelding and he has turf form that puts him in the hunt.
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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 simulcast host for Ajax Downs.
Photo by John Watkins
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