Best Bet – (6) AMI'S LINK – Race 3
Spot Play - (6) SEAMIALAUGH – Race 7
Today's Play: Pick 5 (races 2-6), .20 cent ticket: 4 / 6 / all / 1, 5 / 1, 4, 7, 8 = $19.20
Race 1 — (6) STRIKE THE TOP has been in good form all season and he is down to a new low claiming price for this 7-1/2 furlong inner turf race. He handles the main track okay should the race come off turf. (1) FORESTER'S DESTINY has won his last pair and this 10-year-old is almost always in the picture. (8) COURTLY MANNER comes off the race of his life, winning on less-than-firm turf and posting an 88 Beyer Figure. He is better on grass than he is on Tapeta. (3) GORGEOUS KITTEN can be a factor on the turf or Tapeta as he has a good late rally on his best day.
Race 2 — (4) POPTHECHAMPAGNE has a triple advantage in Beyer Speed Figures in this low level maiden race. Her last three outings saw her run second each time at a route distance and she shortens up. (8) HOLLYWOOD RING adds blinkers and cutting back to a one-turn distance from route races is going to be better for her. (2) PAPA'S SILVER will have blinkers on for her second race since July. She was not sharp from the gate from her wide post in her most recent race. (9) HONEY GIRL drops to a new low claiming level and she beat half the field in her latest.
Race 3 — (6) AMI'S LINK has been in the top three in her last three races and the second place finisher from her latest came right back to win. She drops to the bottom claiming level for the first time. (10) DESERT POEM is another gal in the field dropping to the lowest class level on the circuit, and while she likes grass better, she has back class and should be in the top three. (3) SAMURAI FIGHT was a winner for this claiming price three races ago, and she had a troubled journey against better last time.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 begins with a large field of non-winners of 2 races and there are many possibilities. (8) BOKERMIN has gone many races without a win and now he drops to a new low level. He has had three starts at this 6-1/2 furlong distance with a win and a third. (6) TYCOON will take most, or all, of the betting support as he plunges in class. This guy has been breaking slowly from the gate, but note he had a fast recent workout and on his best he is the top contender. (1) ORPHAN HALLIE tried a route distance recently and stayed on for fourth but he will like cutting back to a sprint distance. (3) SHAKOO MAKOO is speedy and he led late in his latest when coming off a two month layoff.
Race 5 — (1) ROSEBUD'S HOPE has had a super season on turf and Tapeta and began 2021 with a big win at this 6-1/2 furlong distance on the main track. (5) HELL N WILD is a formidable rival as she dips out of stakes races and gets one of her favourite riders back, Kazushi Kimura. (4) FLY SO PRETTY has been away for three months and she can rally for a purse share. (3) BEYOND MYBUDGET was a gritty winner in August and has been working regularly in the two months since then.
Race 6 — (8) TEMPEREYA has been freshened for two months and is entered for a one mile turf race on the Taylor course. She handles grass but has won on an all-weather track and gets the slight nod in this puzzling event. (7) VESPOLINA almost always puts in a late run whether she is on turf or Tapeta and she will experiment with a route distance. (1) DICTATE is lightly raced this year and she had a good outing two starts back but wasn't as good against tougher in her latest. (4) SHES THE NORTH finally won her maiden in her 17
th attempt, and with her confidence high she may be a factor again.
Race 7 — (6) SEAMIALAUGH tried tougher gals last time and was flat but she qualifies for this race on any of her previous Woodbine runs. The best news for her is that she has a lot of speed to run at. (7) THATSMYKINDANIGHT was well bet in her latest but missed the break, rushed and then stalled. Things have not gone well for (1) OLD SECRETS this year but the shorter distance of this race works for her if she can find a trip from just off the pace. (2) POLAR APPEAL comes off her maiden win against easier but the 5-1/2 furlong distance works.
Race 8 — This race is scheduled for one mile on the E.P. Taylor turf course and (5) BLAST IN THE SNOW has never been on the grass but his sire loved it. This guy was a good winner of his maiden race last time and continues to improve. (4) DR GREEN is a good one who often puts in a rally. He recently had a bullet workout at half a mile. (9) MUCHOKOVA is offered for claiming for the first time and will wear blinkers. He has been on the edges only in tough races this season and could wake up. (12) GREEN FLEET can be included in wagers if the race is moved to the main track and (2) LUMBERJACK has been hinting at a peak effort in recent races.
*
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 and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
Photo by John Watkins
More Tips from the Pros