Best Bet – (5) THIS WAY OUT – Race 3
Spot Play – (13) STOP THE HUMBUG – Race 2
Today's Play: Pick 4 (races 4-7, .20 cent ticket) – 6, 10 / 5, 6, 9, 10 / 5, 7, 9, 14 / 4 = $6.40
*Post time 4:45 p.m.
Race 1 — (9) AWESOMECREST was my pick to win Oct. 29 and he zoomed to the lead around the turn at 14 to 1 but was later caught and landed second. He is one of two in the field for the Langcrest Stable and trainer Steve Attard. (3) LOMAKI FORCE is a major player for the Chiefswood Stable and trainer Stuart Simon as he has speed in a race full of stretch runners. He was just behind the top pick in his latest when favoured and he has another rider change. (6) BUTTERED TOAST, a filly, was third in a maiden race against boys in September and she drops in class. (1) TRUECREST has not done much to this point but makes his second start after a short layoff and drops in class.
Race 2 — 'Tis the season for some longshots to include in wagers since the field size on the last few days of racing will be very large. Firstly, I have picked (13) STOP THE HUMBUG in virtually every start this year and he has been in traffic trouble, had wide trips and simply closes ground too late. Perhaps the addition of blinkers will get him more involved in the early stages. (9) HELL BENT has enough talent to win at this $14,000 claiming level. Toss his last pair of starts as he broke slowly in one and sprinted in the other. (11) STRIKE A BEAT is a steady performer who was claimed last time when he missed by a neck. (4) BATTLE OF YORKTOWN had a wide journey for most of his latest which was a race run in fast time.
Race 3 — (5) THIS WAY OUT returns to a sprint distance and dips one class level for maiden 2-year-olds. Two starts ago he was third to subsequent Coronation Futurity winner The Minkster. (9) SHAMBO gets a big class drop from maiden allowance to maiden claiming. This guy has shown some ability in his morning workouts. (10) DETERMINED FRIEND also drops to maiden claiming for the first time and he is co-owned and trained by the meeting's leading trainer Mark Casse. (3) INVISIBLE FRIEND adds blinkers for his second start and he was in a maiden allowance in his debut so he meets easier.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 begins with a $5,000 claiming race and (6) PIQUET gets a big class drop. She was doing okay against better earlier this season and is relatively fresh with just five starts in 2021. (10) TUSCAN DAMSEL has been second in two straight races at this class level. (12) D'S SOUL has been consistently good for most of this year and she comes off a win against non-winners of 2. (3) SECRET ARCHANGEL should have some early speed from the inside and she comes off an improved outing.
Race 5 — Since the Martin Drexler barn is in a race for second place in the trainer's standings, his starters must be respected. (6) SALVATOR MUNDI was my pick last time for twice this claiming price but he chased the pace runners and stalled. He has lots of pace to run at in this easier spot. (9) YOLA won big just a week ago when claimed and has a stalking style. (10) EPILOGUE ended a long winless streak Nov. 13 with a well-timed rally and he looks good again. (5) ROCKET PLAN has been putting in good stretch runs lately and can be used in exotic bets.
Race 6 — There are numerous possibilities in this seven furlong race for $25,000 claiming so let's take some price horses on the morning line. (9) POUND GREEN, owned and trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, drops to a new low level and cuts back to a long sprint. He exits two fast races at route distances. (7) AMMUNITION is a good speed horse who went fast on the pace when third against tough ones two starts back. (14) TALE OF MINESHAFT has a wide post but drops back down to claiming for the Martin Drexler barn. (5) SPEED WAY ran against a speed bias in his latest.
Race 7 — (4) LOOKIN TO STRIKE is offered for just $40,000 claiming and this stakes winner has been tackling some of the toughest around this year. He was recently third to the great Pink Lloyd and last time was on the edges in a fast race won by Clayton, who just missed to Pink Lloyd last week. (1) LOOKINATAMIRACLE is one of two in the race for the Martin Drexler barn, and he is back for the price at which he was claimed and he comes out of a fast race. (10) SENOR JOBIM, the stablemate of 'Miracle', shortens up to six furlongs, the distance at which he won recently. (3) WESTERN TROUBLE was re-claimed by Al and Bill Ulwelling Nov. 12 when this guy just missed in a fast race.
Race 8 — (4) MUSICALLY INCLINED has been in good form for her last four races. Wilson takes over for Contreras who is now riding at Oaklawn. (3) HIDDEN IDENTITY has been on the slide since her debut when he won with an 84 Beyer Figure. She drops to the lowest claiming price. (2) MS WICKED gets blinkers and shortens up in distance for this first outing at the lowest claiming price. (10) PESARO could carry her speed a longer distance.
Race 9 — I picked (13) SUN FORESTER last time but he was one paced behind a slow pace at a route distance. He should like turning back to seven furlongs. (1) COUSIN BOB is logical from the rail as he just missed winning his latest and he returns to a one-turn distance. (12) TREBUCHET was not far behind Cousin Bob in that route race on Nov. 19 and he has stalking speed. (8) VATICAN MOON came off a lengthy layoff for his second career race Nov. 14 and he beat half the field. (6) MR. DYNAMIC exits a good race and can grab a share.
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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 is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
Photo by John Watkins
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