Best Bet – (2) CALL IT A WRAP – Race 7
Spot Play – (5) MARWOODS WAR – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : 3, 4, 5, 7 / 5, 7 / 2, 3, 6, 9 /2, 3, 5, 6,9 = $30.10
Late Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 8-11): 2, 4, 6 / 4, 5, 6, 9,10 / 4, 5, 7 / 1, , 13 = $27.00
Race 1 – (7) JUST LEAVEITALONE, a $6,000 yearling purchase, comes off a narrow loss in the Fury Stakes as a maiden with an 87 Beyer Speed Figure. She tries 9 furlongs and was second in a try at this distance in the winter. A good effort might see her supplemented to the Woodbine Oaks in 2 weeks time. (1) BALLROOM OF MARS and (2) SECOND GRACE were separated by a head in a recent maiden race and the latter gets blinkers. (4) KEEPME IN THEGAME has never raced on Tapeta and this is her second race off the layoff and her return was quite good.
Race 2- This race is scheduled for the grass, 6 1/2 furlongs, but rain this morning could move it to the Tapeta. On either surface (1) SOEXOTIC has a big Beyer Figure advantage over this field, her last two ratings are higher than the last 2 of any gal in the field. (5) PINK SCRIBBLES is a top candidate for owners who had a recent winner with In a Twist. This gal's first race of the season saw her get third behind a runaway winner who ran fast.(4) MARY OF SCOTTS looks like a major player for the Buttgieg stable which pulled off a 44 to 1 upset with a maiden filly on turf Saturday. Mary has been second in both races this year, six times overall, so back her up in exotic bets. (2) GOOD TO ME was claimed from a smart maiden win last December and is nicely spotted.
Race 3- (8) LOKINFORPURSEMONEE has been in super form in three starts this year with jockey Patrick Husbands and trainer Cole Bennett. He was on turf last time where he is 0 for 4 and moving back to the Tapeta will move him up. He also has lots of pace to run at. (6) MAJESTIC SLEW won off the claim for $7,500, at the same claiming price, and is back at that level again. He is a need-the-lead type and that might not work out well since there is a lot of speed around him. (4) FOREST BROTHER
is a class old guy who drops another class level and while he is not in top form, there is a lot of pace for him to run at. (1) GUNNER BEN is another fellow who will benefit from a hot pace in front and he was not far behind the top pick when they met last time.
Race 4- The Pick 4 begins here and this race is carded for 6 1/2 furlongs on turf but there was plenty of rain this morning. Many possibilities in this big maiden field but maybe (7) EXECUTIVE SEARCH can win again; he won his latest in solid fashion with a 71 Beyer Figure but was demoted for some bumping with the runner-up. (3) GRAZELY is a first time starter for Roger Attfield and this guy has lots of grass breeding but will be on the main track for this debut. He has been working with Hoity Toity who had speed and landed fifth in her debut on turf on Saturday. (5) SHARP'S RIVER showed some talent in a short campaign in 2019 and he has a shrewd combo in jockey Patrick Husbands and trainer Brandon Greer. (4) THERE'S NO JOE is an Alberta bred beginner with good workout times and his dam liked sprinting and won on an all weather surface. (
Race 5 – Another race scheduled for grass, this one at 1 mile on the inner turf, and it is not known if it will remain on the turf. (5) MARWOODS WAR is one of the gals in the field who seem to handle any surface and she comes off a much improved second start of the year (7) PREFERRED GUEST wants this race to stay on the grass and if it does, she would be heavily bet with Rafael Hernandez taking over. She has lost twice as the favourite this year on Tapeta and has not won since the November 2018 stakes score. (2) FAITH OVER FEAR is making her third start off the layoff and she could stick around for a share if she progresses a bit more. (6) RAPUNZEL'S DREAM had an impressive season debut when winning her maiden on the turf
Race 6 – This maiden 2-year-old race is scheduled for 6 furlongs on the E P Taylor turf but could be moved to Tapeta. Hard to go against (2) GRETZY THE GREAT off his debut outing when he showed great speed in a 5 furlong turf dash and he fought hard to be second to a nice prospect. (3) MT LOGAN is well regarded by the Minshall team and he is a son of a 15% 2-year-old debut sire. (6) NO EXIT had has had strong workouts and is the first foal of a nice stakes winner who sprinted locally. (9) FLEX's older brother Olliemyboy just won his maiden Saturday in a 9 furlong race and is headed to the Queen's Plate. This guy has had good workouts and he sprints in his debut.
Race 7 – And another turf race that could come off and be run on Tapeta although the inner course drains better than the main turf. (2) CALL IT A WRAP has never tried grass but has some breeding for the surface. BC-bred had a super local debut and he adds blinkers; trainer Rycroft has a 24% win rate in the last 5 years when adding blinkers. (3) TRICKY MAGICIAN is a steady fellow who will enjoy returning to Woodbine and he is okay on Tapeta. (6) LUCAS N LORI has worked nicely since his second career win and he is improving. (9) KITTEN'S BOY has shown brief flashes of good efforts with 80 Beyer Figures and he was recently claimed.
Race 8 – The $100,000 Victoria Stakes for 2-year-olds is at 5 1/2 furlongs and (2) READY TO REPEAT could repeat as he won his maiden for the team of trainer Gail Cox, Windways, Mike Ambler and John Menary in fast time on the turf. The runner-up was a contender in the 6
th race. (4) MASTER Spy was behind the top pick in that maiden race but added distance will help. (6) GOSPEL WAY won his debut at 24 to 1 and the second place finisher has come back to win. (3) WORKING THE TABLE is a first time starter by speedy young sire Outwork and this guy shows fast workouts.
Race 9 – Turf race could be moved to the Tapeta so check the changes for any surface switch and any scratches. On turf or Tapeta (9) MALIBU UPROAR had such a booming season debut at a hefty 9 to 1 that he must be on the short list. (5) ARMISTICE DAY won a stakes race here on turf last year he handles any surface. He comes off a layoff. (13) CULLOM ROAD is on the also eligible list and will have a wide post if he draws in but he is a classy gelding with big Beyer Figures. He has never tried Tapeta. (10 COUNT AGAIN is a lightly raced fellow who had a spot of trouble in his local debut.
Race 10 –(7) WHERE'S THE WIDGET seeks his 14
th career win in his third outing as an 8-year-old. He has tactical speed and a nice post in this wide open route race. (5) FORESTER'S DESTINY is consistently good but needs a bit more punch in the last furlong. (4) BODE'S MAKER has a win and a close second in two races since the 11 month layoff. (8) STREET LEGAL can go forward off his season debut.
Race 11 – Maiden race at 1 mile on inner turf (or Tapeta if it continues to rain) has many possible contenders but 4-year-old (1) GREEN FLEET is logical off his steady run in his latest behind a front running winner. He offers little value at 8 to 5 in the morning line but is a top three factor. (5) RED ASTAIRE will like turf or Tapeta and while the longer distance may not be ideal he can be included in wagers. (13) LOOKIN FLY is interesting is he draws in from the also eligible list. (11) FINAL STRIKE appears to have more to offer although he has a wide post.
Photo by John Watkins
*
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 Toronto Star and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
More Tips from the Pros