Best Bet – (8) ARI GOLD SPEEDWAGON – Race 6
Spot Play - (6) GELATO AMORE – Race 1
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : 1, 6, 7, 10 / 2,3, 5, 7 / 8 / 2, 3, 5 8 = $12.80
Race 1 – (6) GELATO AMORE has found a nice cozy spot in this 5 furlong turf sprint to get her first win of the season. Her latest on Tapeta was solid when a clear second at this class level and her sire loved turf. (5) CLASSY N' SILENT is very quick out of the gate and bred for grass on both sides of her pedigree. She goes off the claim but Shana Lopez who has had a good meeting. (1) FRENCH CHARM was flat in her latest off the Martin Drexler claim but his horses win 28% of the time second time off the claim. She tries turf for the second time. (2) MY FINAL TRICK just won her maiden in her return to Woodbine off turf races at Fort Erie.
Race 2 – (1) I'M A GINGER won her maiden at this 7 furlong distance July 5 and then made her way to third place in a shorter race recently. Her good form has to be respected. (3) DON'T GET SMART drops in class and returns to the distance at which she won her maiden this season. (6) NOBLE GODDESS has not raced since December and may want a bit more distance but she has had plenty of workouts and she can hit the top three. (2) TOY SHOW could wake up on the big class drop and grab a share.
Race 3- (3) ROSE RING could be all set to pounce in this 3
rd race off the layoff with the class drop to $4,500 claiming. Of course, she has lost as the favourite in both races this season so she is not a slam dunk. (2) BLACK SAGE has picked up shares in all three outings this season and she was alongside Rose Ring when they met July 24. (4) NO QUESTION just won a non-winners of 2 for $7,500 and is looking for more at the $5,00 level. She needed most of the 6 furlongs to get up to win last time so she will have to hurry. (7) BEAU'S BEAUTY was on the edges behind the top 2 picks in her latest.
Race 4 – (10) VESPERANZA comes off a much improved out when down to the $25,000 claiming level for maidens (plus she had an excuse first time out this year). She ran her best race from a Beyer Figure perspective in a turf sprint last year (60) and may be all set if she can save something for the last furlong. (1) THE GOOD WITCH also got a class drop for her latest and was gaining fast in a Tapeta sprint. She has performed well on the turf. (6) CEDAR VALLEY switches to the grass for the first time and has some turf breeding. She is looking to rebound back to her good season debut when third. (7) JACKIE MILTON was gaining in her latest at 5 furlongs on Tapeta and is one to include in exotic wagers.
Race 5 – The Lorne Richards barn might be ready to go on a roll following its first win last weekend and (2) TEXT ME UP drops in class from $25,000 to $10,000 for her third start off the layoff. (7) SNIPPY ran so well in her season debut for $14,000 claiming with a 68 Beyer Figure but she faded in her latest while not cornering well. Anything close to her opener makes her a winner. (5) VICTORIAN MOON is in good form as is her barn and she tries 7 furlongs for the first time. (3) FOREST AT DAWN gets her blinkers back, makes her third start off the layoff and has some closing power.
Race 6 – (8) ARI GOLD SPEEDWAGON cuts back to 6 furlongs, a preferred distance for him and looks poised to peak in his third start off the layoff. He will always be known as Pink Lloyd's younger half brother but all signs point to him getting his 3
rd career win here. (7) SOUPER HOT has been a wonderful purchase for his owners and he often puts up a super battle. He moves back to the Tapeta after a big run in a short turf dash and he keeps the leading rider. (3) IN A TWIST moves up off the claim and a win and he is lightly raced this year and has speed to run at. He will have to hurry at 6 furlongs but is a top three player. (1) SPEEDY BOLT paired up his 76 Beyer Figure top last time but that was a much tougher field of multiple winners on a very hot day. He fits better in this non-winners of 3.
Race 7 – This is a nice field of older guys at 5 1/2 furlongs for $60,000 optional claiming and (3) CIRCLE OF FRIENDS might be able to get back in the winner's circle. He was taken well off the pace in his latest when he missed to Piven, who is also in this race. (5) HITTERS PARK roared to a huge win in the first leg of the Turf Sprint Series, posting a career best 96 Beyer Figure. He was second in his only Tapeta surface attempt but he does have to avoid a bounce race. (8 ) PIVEN was happy to be back at Woodbine and he edged Circle of Friends in a race like this, except one furlong longer. (2) SILENT JIMMIE just ran the race of his life when second to Pink Lloyd in the Shepperton Stakes but the shorter distance is a hurdle.
Race 8 – (6) MY SUGAR PIE was this corner's top selection in her last 2 stars. She had a terrible trip July 4 and then led late in her most recent but was caught by a longshot. She moves from long grass races to a Tapeta sprint, which may not be what she wants to do but I will give her one more chance. (4) MISS MATILDA had the lead late in her last pair of starts and she shortens up in distance. (10) SOLITUDE IS BLISS was favoured for her career debut but she was outrun. She drops in class and gets blinkers. (9) SICK SOCIETY halves in claiming price for her first race at Woodbine and first race since March.
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