Best Bet – (1) BACHELOR PAD – Race 2
Spot Play – (8) U S NAVY CROSS – Race 6
Today's Play: Pick 4 (races 4-7, .20 cent ticket) – 1, 2, 4 / 1, 3 / 2, 5, 8, 9 / 1, 3, 8 = $14.40
*Post time 4:45 p.m.
Race 1 — (6) SITTING PRETTY comes in for trainer Christophe Clement who won his first Breeders' Cup race last week. Clement is also 7-4-3-0 with his Woodbine visitors this year. This gal moves from turf to Tapeta and comes out of a hot maiden race at Belmont. (3) ROMY gets blinkers for her third race since a summer vacation. She was along for fourth in her latest and should like the 1-1/4 mile distance. (4) HARVEST could be a front runner as she moves from sprints to this marathon and she is bred to like longer distances. (2) WHO SAYS has picked up a few minor shares and she attempts her longest distance to date.
Race 2 — (1) BACHELOR PAD has been in the top three in all of his Tapeta sprints this season, and he figured to contend last time at this 5-1/2 furlong distance and rallied for second. He is down to the lowest claiming level. (9) DANCING DEREK came out in October, after a short layoff, in fine form but he fizzled last time. He drops and may not have as much pace to contend with. (7) GASCONADE is fresh as he raced just once this year, in July, and he is good enough to contend at this class level. (4) TALL WATER ran 12 days ago and was third behind the top pick after a bit of a slow beginning,
Race 3 — (6) MIA'S AUTHORITY'S outing at this 1-1/16 mile distance two starts back earned her a 51 Beyer Figure and that would be enough to win this maiden race. (1) PAPA'S SILVER drops to a new low, and tries a route distance for the first time and could grab a share. (5) THATNIGHTINTOROTNO moves back out to a route distance and tumbles to the lowest class level with apprentice Malvaez taking over. (2) CANADIAN ESSENCE trailed in a recent sprint when adding Lasix but had a decent outing at this 1-1/16 mile distance in August.
Race 4 — Maidens race 1-1/16 miles at the $5,000 claiming level and (4) HIATUS has done well against much better this year and could wake up. (2) VERRAZANO BRIDGE had his best placing in his latest when he rallied for second. (1) COUSIN ROB gets Lasix and two starts back he was fourth in his first route race on Tapeta in a decent effort. (5) MORE CHANCES is another one plunging in class and he can be included in exotics.
Race 5 — Trainer Martin Drexler holds a strong hand in this $20,000 claiming race. (3) PIVEN has been away since August when he lost twice as favourite after a handy win to begin his season. (1) WESTERN TROUBLE almost always runs a good race and that was the case off the claim by Drexler last time for twice this price. (4) O'KRATOS held on for a win off the claim last time when returning to a Tapeta sprint. He is back in 13 days for the Harold Ladouceur barn. (2) KITTEN'S SOLUTION was wide in his latest but is consistently good for the most part.
Race 6 — I had (8) U S NAVY CROSS in my picks when he came off a short layoff Oct. 2 and finished second in a route race at this class level. Shaun Bridgmohan takes over from an absent Antonio Gallardo. (9) UPSTART GENTLEMAN has not been seen since his return from a short layoff in July when third to eventual stakes placed colt Harlan Estate. (2) GREEN FLEET has a lot of seconds and thirds to keep him in exotic plays. (5) VICTORY TOWN is speedy and he was on a mission last time when he opened up a huge lead but faded to be fourth.
Race 7 — (3) SOUPER RUSH was an impressive debut winner on Oct. 17 and he has speed to stalk in this five furlong race of juveniles. (1) SILENT RUNNER has been second in two consecutive stakes races and is very logical. (8) BOSSY HOLIDAY has been fourth in the same stakes races where Silent Runner was second. (9) DROP A CARIBOU won his maiden in his second career race in fine fashion over the inner turf.
Race 8 — (8) CARL G has been in super form all season, and he was second in a good race last time and he has come back with a fast workout time. (3) SHOW ME YOUR SPOTS will be happy to get back on the all-weather track at Woodbine after races on turf and dirt. (11) SOUPER COHIBA just missed at this class level three races back when claimed, He was just behind Carl G when they met Oct. 17. (4) VELOCE has been on the edges for most of this season and he continues his class slide. (7) MAJESTIC MELODY will have blinkers off as he stretches out to a route distance again and he should be prominent from the outset.
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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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