Best Bet – (5) REDOUTE'S LIGHT – Race 4
Spot Play – (6) BETTER BOOGIE – Race 5
Today's Play: Late Pick 4 ( races 9-12, .20 cents): 1, 4, 10, 11 / 1, 4, 7 / 8, 11 / 3, 4, 5, 8 = $19.20
Race 1 — (7) DONTCALLMESWEETY shortens up from a route distance and she battled on the pace for half that event with the boys. She should have some good power late. (1) OLYMPIC FENCER adds blinkers and she is very quick. She did not have a good start last time but in a previous race she was in a pace battle with colts and stayed on for fourth. (6) LEGS LIKE SHACK had some late run in her most recent when the pace was crumbling. (10) DIAMOND CRUSH is also fast as she set a hot pace in her debut and still finished second.
Race 2 — (5) MISTER OAKLEY is fresh as he has just one race since May and he was a nose from third place in that return. He gets his blinkers back on. (11) KEEN SAMURAI drops back down to the price for which he was claimed and he fits. (10) DANCING DEREK has speed but has yet to win at 6 furlongs. (7) ITMAKESMEWONDER beat the top pick by a nose in that race 8 days ago with a good rally.
Race 3 — (5) MAAKWA is very fast and he led for a long time in his latest, finally landing third in a race that went in near-track record time. (9) LAKE SHORE DRIVE is offered for claiming for the first time and he has run well in all five career races. He had a bit of a rocky trip in his latest but should have clear sailing from this outside post. (2) VALHALLA AIR BASE was a smart maiden winner off a layoff Nov. 14 and that was his first run on the Tapeta. (3) IGNITED is a speedy type who will have to avoid getting too tired chasing the top pick.
Race 4 — The Pick 4 begins with a 1 1/4 mile race for $10,000 claiming guys and (5) REDOUTE'S LIGHT looks best as he enjoys long distances and drops to a new low class level. (12) GUITAR GEORGE is a tough old timer who should be in the mix with his late rally. (6) FORESTER'S DESTINY is up in class off his 16
th career win. This distance is probably farther than he wants. (9) D'S BEN is in sharp form, and if he can fend off the other speed he will be in the frame.
Race 5 — (6) BETTER BOOGIE has had a lean season and he is offered for $5,000 claiming, four races after being taken for $25,000. He should sit a good trip stalking the speed. (4) BOCELLI drops in class also and he will be looking for the speed to come back for his rally. (8) KARAKONTIE PAT is a big guy, just a 3-year-old, who comes out of a fast race. (1) FRAC DADDY also gets a marginal class drop.
Race 6 — A big field of maiden 2-year-olds travel six furlongs and (5) SIR FOR SURE debuted in the Frost King Stakes and was troubled early but closed fast. He has lots of pace to run at. His stablemate, also from the Mark Casse barn, is (3) HILARIOUS AFFAIR, a son of leading first crop sire in Practical Joke, gets Lasix and blinkers for his second run since June. (12) LANGSTAFF ROAD has to shorten up sharply in distance off a big effort in a route race and he also has a wide post. (8) MIDNIGHT ARKLE has had two bullet workouts since he broke slowly in a longer race.
Race 7 — (9) LADY WAR MACHINE was so impressive winning her 2021 debut, a maiden race, with an 82 Beyer Figure. She doubled up in the Alywow Stakes on turf and did okay in the Duchess before fading in a route race. (2) MERVEILLEUX has scrapped it out with graded stakes company all season in long races. She has not sprinted in a long time but meets so much easier and could be flying in time. (4) AFLEET KATHERINE has two career wins, both at this seven furlong distance, although on turf. She drops out of graded stakes races. (1) BEYOND MYBUDGET makes her third start off the layoff and she is one for one at this distance.
Race 8 — What a sensational debut race for (2) STRIKER who ran a 95 Beyer Figure in that stunning win. This grey colt could be any kind of runner. (10) HAVE A SOUPER DAY has posted two career top Beyer Figures in succession since being claimed and is red hot. (9) BREAKING ALONE has been edged in two straight races and has run fast and somewhat unlucky to not win. (3) WORA has reportedly been gelded since his latest in October. This $510,000 yearling is an honest sprinter and he has been working fast.
Race 9 — A pick 4 wager begins here. The $100,000 Steady Growth Stakes for Ontario bred older horses has a big field with a good mix of runners. (11) TIMESKIP has tackled tough ones this year and should enjoy the pace up front in this easier spot. He was graded stakes placed last year and you can throw out his latest when he got lost in the shuffle early. (1) ARTIE'S STORM is a 3-year-old coming off a hard earned win in the Lake Ontario Stakes. (4) FULL EXTREME has spent a lot of time racing on grass, on which he is 0 for 9, but he has four wins on the main track. (10) MAMBOINTHEFOREST has had a nice season for Phil Lanning and Ron Sadler and he is not far off from getting a share.
Race 10 — This is the $100,00 La Prevoyante Stakes and (1) ROYAL WEDDING has been in so many tough races all season but once she got back with restricted company in the Eternal search, she missed by a head. (4) NOVEMBER FOG had a messy trip when a close third in the Eternal Search and of course the winner of that seven furlong stake was the top mare (7) SUMMER SUNDAY who will complete her career in this race. (8) SILENT CAUSEWAY will have the blinkers off as she moves out in distance.
Race 11 — (11) HARD EDGE is very fast and has run well in all three career races. She was favoured last time but really had to go quickly in a tough pace battle. (8) LADY MOONSHINE flew to the lead in the stretch last time in a route race but was caught and the shorter distance may help. (4) AWESOME TREAT is very logical off a 72 Beyer Figure when third in only her second race of the season. (5) USING COCONUTS added blinkers last time but was not sharp away from the gate.
Race 12 — (5) JOKERS RUN was third for $25,000 claiming two starts back and is now in for just $7,500. (4) CLASSY GIZMO has been second or third six times in her 12 races. She was odds on last time, led late and was nabbed. Jockey Kimura won four races on Friday. (8) SILVER KELLY has some good workout times getting ready for her debut. (3) NICE COMPANY went wild on the pace last time on a speed favouring track and she shortens up. For the High 5 wager you must use (9) BORN TO BE GOOD.
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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 Michael Burns
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