Best Bet – (7) COMMANDER TOM – RACE 8
Spot Play – (8) SPIRAL STORM – RACE 1
Today's Play: Pick 4 (races 4-7, .20 cent ticket) – 6, 10 / 1, 2 / 2, 3, 5 / 3, 6, 8 = $7.20
*Post time 4:45 p.m.
Race 1 — I will try a longshot play to begin this penultimate Friday card of the 2021 season. (8) SPIRAL STORM has been in tough races since a troubled outing in July when he recovered to be a close fifth. He drops in class and stretches out to a route distance, and trainer Gord Colbourne has a 25% win rate with sprint to route moves. (3) LIL BIT GANGSTA met a few of these a week ago and he elected to force the pace and he slipped back only late to be fourth. (4) BLUE SNOW has been second in three straight races and each time he led almost all the way. He will have to be tougher in the late stages at this longer distance. (6) NORTHERN CONQUEST gets his blinkers back for his second start off the claim.
Race 2 — (10) TARA TATTOO looked like he was on his way to his maiden win in his latest but he was overtaken and he settled for a clear second-place finish. He is going to be odds-on again and is not a great value play but trainer Bill Tharrenos and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson have a 25% win rate together. (2) SKILLS TEST had a pleasing debut race as he moved around rivals to be fourth at a shorter distance. (4) PATIO PARTY gets a slight class drop, and he was second in a race at this seven furlong distance and he is sitting on his maiden win. (8) WIN THE DRAW is a first time starter who is from a nice mare and he is a full brother to stakes winner Told It All.
Race 3 — (1) LA MACAZA was an impressive maiden winner in his second career race and he has had two good workout times since that win. His hurdle will be trying to not get too far back in the early stages in this small field. (2) HUNT MASTER was a solid third behind a promising filly from the Mark Casse barn in his first try at a route distance. (4) KIDDIE HOLIDAY exits the Coronation Futurity at nine furlongs and he was hard rated early in that race. These are easier and I expect him to show more early speed. (5) CHAIRMAN BOB was just half a length behind Hunt Master in that good event from Nov. 6.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 starts here and (6) QIAN B C was flying late in his Woodbine debut for US based Linda Rice and he was a close third. He has lots of sped to run at in this slightly easier race. (10) BOKERMIN won at this claiming price over non-winners of 2 recently, and last week was in a far tougher race against multiple winners and not beaten far. (2) COMBATIVE plunges in class and is tough to leave out of exotic wagers as he will be the inside speed runner. (5) MISTER OAKLEY will race without the claiming price as it is his first race since May when he was in tough races in Arkansas and Kentucky. (9) ITMAKESMEWONDER drops into a non-winners of 3 after getting used up on the pace in a tougher race Nov. 13.
Race 5 — (2) COO BIRD has been favoured in two of his last three starts and he continues his class slide. He had tough, early trouble in his latest. I picked (1) AUKSINE KULKA to win his maiden Nov. 7, his second career race, and he made a move to the lead around the last turn but he could not keep the momentum going. He is going the right way, however. (5) MY REDEMPTION came from far behind to be second with a rail run when meeting some of these Nov. 7. (9) CAM WOOLLEY reported in third in his first try at a route distance and that was an improved effort for this Colebrook Farms runner.
Race 6 — (2) PHILZANO is a first time starter who is working quickly and he is a half brother to the handy stakes filly Sunsprite, who won her 2-year-old debut. (5) DOUBLE SAW will be favoured for the third straight race and he missed by a head last time so he is the one to beat. (3) PERFECT PICTURE drops back down to the claimed price and shortens to 5 1/2 furlongs for trainer Martin Drexler who has 51 winners this year at all tracks. (10) TAKE CHARGE GENT had a strong showing second time out in a turf sprint. He was in a quick race last time and drops one class.
Race 7 — (3) GORGEOUS KITTEN has a good late kick and plenty of speed to run at in this 6 1/2 furlong sprint. (6) HALLIE'S HERO rallied to win at six furlongs in September with Keveh Nicholls on board. I am expecting him to be rating off the pace as he drops in class with Nicholls returning to ride. (8) YOLA just won his non-winners of 3 lifetime race and now meets multiple winners. (5) BARILKO was a front running winner last time in a sharp display and he is probably the best speed runner in the field.
Race 8 — (7) COMMANDER TOM tried really hard in his latest after chasing (1) LOADED SNIPER early and through fast fractions. He beat that rival but was caught late by another. The latter is very quick and he goes slightly shorter. (6) STEEL WOOL comes off his maiden win 12 days ago and he is an honest competitor. (5) ORPHAN HALLIE almost won his latest as the lone speed in a longer sprint. He shortens up and is in the mix. (4) SEA SCOUT will be confident off his maiden win.
*
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 John Watkins
More Tips from the Pros