Best Bet – (5) LATE SURGE – Race 7
Spot Play - (1) COMMANDER TOM – Race 5
Today's Play: Pick 4 (races 4-7): 3, 6, 7, 8 / 1, 6, 10 / 2, 4 / 3, 4, 5, 6 = $19.20
Race 1 — (9) NICE COMPANY did not handle a route distance last time and she looks better in this five furlong dash. (5) MI TORMENTA improved second time out when dropping in class and she gets a further drop in search of her maiden win. (1) LITTLE MISS CAT is very quick but went too fast on the pace last time and Eswan Flores gets a turn aboard this filly. (6) SHISHKA gets her 33
rd chance at the maiden win and she has run well when she switches from turf to Tapeta.
Race 2 — (6) BACHELOR PAD had a good run off the claim by Joe Russo in his latest at 7 furlongs and he should have a good stretch kick at 5 furlongs with speed to run at. (2) YOLA was used up in the pace duel last time but was better before that when just missing at 6 furlongs. He should have a good trip chasing the other speed. (5) TALL WATER had a big effort last time when he won despite a wide journey and he is a consistently good runner. (9) DEALMAKER might be the quickest in the field and he can lead for a long time.
Race 3 — (1) CHEEK TO CHEEK scratched from a lower level claiming race last week to go in this $9,500 seller. He comes off a big win at Fort Erie and he also won his season debut on Tapeta. (2) HURRICANCE DANCER just won at this class level at a shorter distance and he is 2 for 3 since his short layoff. (6) HALLIE’S HERO won his latest with a strong rally and he is right back at the same claiming price. (8) ROCKET PLAN could wake up with the drop in class.
Race 4 — (3) SKY OF DREAMS is overdue to win her maiden. She probably should have won last time but made a fast, wide move in that turf race far too early and she was nabbed. (6) THATNIGHTINTORONTO ran well in that same race as the top pick, her first try on the grass. (7) FIONNUALA will appreciate the longer distance after grabbing her first top three placing. (8) FORTY SMOOTH was favoured in her latest in a sprint on turf but she faded early. She just missed winning in a previous outing.
Race 5 — (10) COMMANDER TOM gets blinkers and he should be close to the early pace in his 5
th outing of the year. He was not beaten far in a very fast race last time. (1) COLTONS DREAM just won his maiden using his sharp speed at 5 furlongs and he ran fast in victory. He moves out to 6 furlongs and tries other winners, but he could be very tough if alone on the pace again. (6) HIGH HEAT ran two sharp races to begin his career but he was outrun in a tough event last time and he drops in class. (7) SOUPER RIVER also dips one class level and he was just ahead of High Heat in their latest meeting.
Race 6 — This race is scheduled for 6-1/2 furlongs on the E.P. Taylor turf, but the rain has continued this week so it is not certain if it will stay on turf. (2) RECONFIGURE is a trusty old timer who drops to a new, recent low class level off a near miss on Tapeta and he also loves turf. (4) CARMENOOTZ has not won in a while but he has been getting close and he handles turf or Tapeta. (7) DOTTED LINE, a stakes winner seeks his first win since the Kingarvie Stakes in 2019 but he has been rounding into form. (10) FORESTER'S TURN is a stakes winner on turf and he handles Tapeta also.
Race 7 — (5) LATE SURGE has the breeding to enjoy the move out to a route distance. This 2-year-old by Frac Daddy had some closing power in both sprints to begin his career. (6) KIDDIE HOLIDAY has stamina in his breeding and he has placed in both of his career races. (4) AUKSINE KULKA ('Golden Bullet') has trained a lot for this debut and wrapped up his preps with a good prep time from the gate. (3) TRAGICALLY FUNNY has been well bet in his last pair of starts, and he didn't take to the turf last time. He should handle the longer distance.
Race 8 — (8) NEWPORT AGENT adds Lasix and he comes out of one of the fastest maiden races of the year. The winner of that race came back to win with a 97 Beyer Figure last weekend. (6) BLUE MAX will not be a maiden for much longer after five 2nds and 3rds to begin his career. He can do well on turf or Tapeta. (9) HIATUS cuts back sharply in distance, but this is a good distance for a fellow who has been hinting at his maiden win. (3) FUNICULI was in a very fast stakes race last time and is back with maidens. (1) BREACH OF TRUST is a beginner with some good workout times and his mum knew how to win races.
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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 and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
Photo by John Watkins
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