Best Bet – (4) HYPERFOCUS – Race 6
Spot Play – (1) STOP THE HUMBUG – Race 4
Today's play: LATE Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 7-10 ) : 3, 4,7 / 1, 3, 5, 8 / 4, 8 / 5, 6, 10, 12 = $19.20
*Selections done for turf
Race 1 — This race is scheduled for 1-1/16 miles on turf so I will make selections for the grass. A favourite horse of mine this year is (4) PERSEVERANCIA, a daughter of the great California Chrome. She has two grass wins in her three Woodbine outings, and recent workout times say she is ready to make it another. (1) BROADWAY LADY has been second in two straight turf races and is a top two player again. (3) MUSICAL RIDE went from a maiden claiming win and a 66 Beyer Figure to an allowance race score with an 85 Beyer. She was 76 to 1 for that most recent sprint victory in a perplexing result. (2) PEACE SEEKER shortens up in distance and that means she will have to hurry to get a close placing.
Race 2 — (2) CHAIRMAN FOX flew to a clear lead around the turn into the stretch but was nabbed right on the wire and later disqualified. He has half a furlong less to travel. (9) WASAGA appears to be cycling up to a top effort and he is offered for a new low claiming price. (1) MAGIC MOUNTAIN was used up in a silly pace duel with a stablemate last time and he stopped to last. (5) VIRREINATO chased a rapid pace in his latest and that softened him up a bit in the late stages.
Race 3 — (3) GATLING GUN had a solid debut outing when he dueled on the pace but then one of the front runners took off to win big. He shortens up slightly in distance. (6) DETERMINED FRIEND is a leggy type who might want more distance but he worked quickly for that sale in Florida in April and worked fast Oct. 15 from the gate at Woodbine. (5) SEA TO AIR is a stablemate of the top pick, and this guy is a half brother to two debut winning 2-year-olds and his works are sharp. (8) RAPID RELOAD went fast on the pace in a turf sprint in his first career race and understandably tired.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 begins with a one mile race scheduled for turf and it is a big field. I have picked (1) STOP THE HUMBUG a few times this season and three starts ago he had a really bad trip. Next time out he took the lead too soon and last time he was on dirt. (4) ENGLISH CLASSIC edged the top pick three races back, and note that winner came back to win a stakes race. (6) MAVERICK MAN was third in a tougher race on turf and is a dangerous rival. (2) BATTLE OF YORKTOWN has speed to run at and can pick up some pieces as he drops in class.
Race 5 — This is a wide open maiden 2-year-old filly race at seven furlongs and maybe (12) PURE ELEGANCE can improve enough from this wide post off a troubled outing Oct. 9. She had to steady behind horses at a crucial time in that last race and then evened out. (6) BIZYMALINE is a first time starter from the Kevin Attard barn and she is a half sister to a debut winner and by a high percentage debut sire. (7) ESSENTIAL BELLA has been well bet in all three races, and she adds blinkers and brings fast workout times into this slightly easier race. (1) SURFEIT was hard ridden all the way but got third place in her latest which was not a fast race.
Race 6 — (4) HYPERFOCUS came in from New York for a turf race Oct. 1 and he had plenty of traffic woes but flew home to just miss when clear. He tries Tapeta for the first time off the Angus Buntain claim. Kazushi Kimura rides and he may have had other options. (2) AVOMAN is a 3-year-old trying older horses after his run through the Triple Crown. He won the Plate Trial with an 83 Beyer Figure. The filly (3) SILENT CAUSEWAY posted an 82 Beyer Figure in her most recent route race on Tapeta. (5) MEYER prefers grass but can hit the exotics.
Race 7 — (3) WORA is a handsome colt who cost $510,000 at auction and he has, at times, shown big talent. He came off a layoff recently and was second to a big winner. (7) SANDY BAY put up a 90 Beyer Figure when third in a race like this in August. He moves back to the Tapeta after a turf flop. (4) LUCKY SCORE was not far behind the top pick when they met in a fast race earlier this month. (5) AIM FOR THE SKY is a hard trying speedster who just has to find a bit more in the last furlong.
Race 8 — (3) AZZURRO adds blinkers and will hopefully get a chance to return to the grass, his best surface. He has lots of speed to run at and can power home late. (1) CAPE COD has some grass breeding and he shortens up for his turf debut after a speed try in a route race. (8) MONEY PRINTER has been gelded since his last appearance in July when he led late in a route race on the main track. He was previously third in a turf race and he shows many good workout times. (5) JACK has run well in turf sprints and is an exotics factor.
Race 9 — (8) HITTERS PARK is a steady gelding who loves a short turf race. He beat a couple of these when he won last time. (4) SILENT FLASH should enjoy shortening up to five furlongs on turf and he gets some class relief. (7) EXECUTIVE SIGHT was second to the top pick when they met in September and he had a bit of traffic trouble. (1) CRAFTY CONQUEST has won two straight and now moves up in class to meet multiple winners.
Race 10 — (6) MAGIC SPIN comes out of a fast maiden race at nine furlongs and will like the seven furlongs better. He returns to maiden claiming and is one of several to consider. (10) EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN came from last place to just miss second place in his debut. (12) TALE OF MINESHAFT gets a big class drop to maiden claiming and he shortens up in distance. (5) BOXER BRIEF bounced back from a troubled outing to be second in his latest but the seven furlongs is a question. (7) STAR SCHOLAR adds blinkers for the return to a long sprint distance.
*
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