Best Bet – (3) BOLU – Race 8
Spot Play – (1) EXPO – Race 9
Today's Play, Pick 4 (.20 cents, races 4-7): 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 / 4, 7 / 6 / 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 = $16.80
*Selections done for turf
Race 1 — Saturday's opener is for maiden 2-year-old fillies and since none of the experienced gals have shown a lot just yet, I will try (2) DONTCALLMESWEETY, a first time starter for John Ross and Pine Valley Training Centre. Her workout times have been generally quite good and her full brother finished second in his juvenile debut. (5) TOPOFTHEGLEN had a nice position early in her debut outing but got a bit tired. She can improve. (6) CALL ME KITTY beat more than half the field in her fourth career race. (1) ERRATIQUE has had trouble at the start in her last two races.
Race 2 — (6) SMARTY ILLUSION drops in class and gets Lasix for this fourth run of the season. She has only nibbled in maiden turf races to this point, but there are signs she can be a major force in this easier spot. (4) FIONNUALA was in action just nine days ago on the inner turf, and it was a rough ride for her from the start but she was not far from second place. (10) ROSE'S SOUL has a 61 Beyer Figure on the turf recently, but she had a long lead in that race and could not hold on. (5) SUPER LUNAR adds blinkers.
Race 3 — (5) INCENDIO won his maiden at this seven furlong distance when adding Lasix. This juvenile has had three workouts since that win and might be able to double up. (4) SPEAK UNITY came in from New York for high percentage trainer Jonathan Thomas and added Lasix, was heavily bet, and won handily. He tries seven furlongs. (3) QUEEN CASHMERE had a form reversal from race one to her latest when she won her maiden from off the pace. (2) I'M A CHI TOO looked good in his maiden win when the blinkers came off and he might handle the longer distance.
Race 4 — This is a tough maiden race for fillies and mares to begin the first Pick 4 of the day. Of the many possibilities are (9) CRUMLIN BIRD who was third in a big field in only her second career race. She travels the same distance for this maiden event. (10) TREASURE QUEST is showing the signs of improvement and she drops in class. (4) DELIGHTFUL DREAMER was easy to like last time but she was too far back and her rally was late. (5) ROYAL CITY REIGN adds blinkers and that could get her more focused early in the race.
Race 5 — This is an inner turf race and, should it stay on the grass, the surface will likely be on the yielding side with rain expected Friday. (4) CALL HER JOEY does not mind a 'giving' turf and she comes from a high percentage barn. (7) TRISH THE DISH may not be too fond of wet grass as she flopped last time when favoured. (2) TEXT ME UP would look good if the race came off the grass. (3) GEA missed by inches last time on the inner turf course and it is her favourite surface.
Race 6 — (6) OLYMPIC FENCER was foiled early in her debut outing when she broke awkwardly, but she was quickly chasing the fast front runner who went on to win by six lengths. This gal adds Lasix and is one of several to consider. First time starters (3) INTENSE COMPANY and (2) MAJESTIC HORIZON are worth considering. Intense Company was a $10,000 purchase in England last fall and she is by a late sire who had a super beginning to his stud career. Majestic Horizon is a half sister to two debut winning 2-year-olds. (12) DEMOGORGON had a solid debut outing other than moving way too soon to the lead. Now she draws a wide post.
Race 7 — This race is scheduled for one mile on the main turf but the prospect of rain could move it to the main track. There is plenty of speed in the field (before scratches) and I will take (9) RAPPER ZAPPER again in his third career race. This well bred son of Ghostzapper improved on turf in his latest although he was very wide early. (1) STYLISH GENT is bred for grass and he has been a close second in two straight races on Tapeta. (5) QUEENS QUAY should improve second time out with the longer distance and he will likely handle turf too. (3) DAY TRIPPER has been showing speed in his main track route races and just needs a bit more power late.
Race 8 — (3) BOLU put up another 80 Beyer Figure when second in a maiden race at this 1-1/8 mile distance last time. He only needs to find more power in the last furlong to get the job done. (9) CITY LEGEND set a strong pace in his most recent and had Bolu chasing him all the way. He finally landed fourth but if he saves a bit more early speed he can be a factor. (2) ENCHANT ME found the pace of his latest too quick but he can rally for a share. (8) RUNNINFORCOVER was claimed from a turf flop last time and he was hitting the edges in races like this one before that.
Race 9 — (1) EXPO cuts back from a route race to go just 5-1/2 furlongs, but his sprint opener this year saw him finish second to a nice runner. His owner and trainer combined to win a race on Thursday. (8) CHANCEL was third in his only Tapeta sprint this year and jockey Rafael Hernandez sticks with him after a tough journey last time. (6) REGAL INTENT had his best career outing last time when second in a turf sprint and this will be his Tapeta debut. (2) RED MAPLE has taken betting support in his races and he had big speed last time but ran out of gas. He shortens up slightly in distance.
Race 10 — (10) ENGLISH CONQUEROR looks very strong in this allowance race since he was fourth in the Grade 1 Canadian International in his latest and second in a Grade 3 before that. He will need some luck with traffic as he shortens up in distance. (8) MY SEA COTTAGE was a bit flat in the Toronto Cup Stakes after a good return off a layoff. (6) SHANGASSAH is a hard trying fellow who will be quite alright if the race comes off the grass. (7) BROADWAY could improve in his third race off the short layoff. (1) SMALL TALK has speed and the inside post.
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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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