Best Bet – (2) ALKELINE – Race 1
Spot Play - (1) ELEANOR POWELL – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 1, 3, 4, 7 / 1, 2, 5 / 6, 8 / 3, 7 = $9.60
Race 1 – This race was originally scheduled for the inner turf but has been moved to the Tapeta at 1 1/16 miles. (2) ALKELINE has one win on Tapeta versus 4 on grass but she is in good form and the best news is, she may get a nice trip behind all the speed. (1) ROSEBUD'S HOPE has shipped in for trainer Mike Stidham and while she has never raced on an all weather surface, only turf, she comes off a super effort at Saratoga and the one who edged her for the win has come back to win again. (5) SPARKLE SAMMY is the most likely front runner in the field and she comes off a handy win off the Steven Chircop claim. (3) MYSTIC NILE has taken both of her career wins on the main track.
Race 2 – (1) KA GEE GEE might be able to get back on track in this 5 furlong Tapeta dash for $40,000 claiming, she is capable of posting a mid 70s Beyer Figure in a race like this. Her owner, Zilli Racing, trainer Mike DePaulo and jockey Justin Stein are all coming off a big week. (5) PEARL HEIST has raw talent but since going undefeated in 2018 her single outings in 2019 and this year were modest. He drops in class. (2) LADIES SIGNATURE led all the way through 5 1/2 furlongs last time as the favourite despite being eased in a previous race .Her 73 Beyer Figure from that win was lifetime best. (3) MOKSGMOL won her season debut on the turf and can pick up some pieces.
Race 3- This race has been moved from 5 furlongs on the inner turf to the Tapeta. (5) HIT AND RUN is by the very good 2-year-old debut sire Signature Red and this is a full brother to a precocious fellow from last year, Red Fiction. Filly meets the boys but is bred to be quick. (8) BIG BOY BENNY had a strong workout time from the gate, 47 flat, and while he is bred to love a lot more distance, he has had plenty of preparation at Woodbine and at his owner's farm for this debut. (6) I'M THE SHERRIFF is by leading first crop sire Reload and this guy led late to be fourth first time out . (1) COMMANDER TOM was quick early in his debut and he shortens up from 6 furlongs to 5 furlongs.
Race 4 –The Pick 4 begins in this race and (7) VICTOR'S WAY is coming off a December – August layoff but has posted a lot of quick workout times and a stamina move Aug. 14, 6 furlongs in 1:13. He is the quickest in the field and has to be caught. (4) LYRICAL NOTE makes his this start since the vacation and drops a class level. He has to hurry but he had trouble in his latest which was a fast race on turf. (1) BEL BIMBO wants more distance but he can close ground and get into the mix. (3) LEGAL GUMP gets off the rail and can pick up some pieces.
Race 5 – This race was scheduled for 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf but will go at 7 furlongs on the Tapeta and that should be perfect for (1) ELEANOR POWELL. Her 59 Beyer Figure from her season debut was solid and note trainer Phil Gracey won his first race of the season last weekend when a race was moved from the inner turf to the main track. (5) APPELLA has not been on on the Tapeta since 2018 when stakes placed second time out. She is overdue for her maiden win and is ready to break through for a barn that won with a fellow in an off-the-turf race last weekend. (2) ROOKIE GIRL had speed in her debut on the grass and she can improve off that outing. (7) LINDA LOVES LACE will have the blinkers off for the first time but she has been dull since a good season opener.
Race 6 – (8) BODE'S MAKER may get an easier ride on the pace in this race and is dangerous under jockey Justin Stein. (6) LAPOCHKA is in the best form of his career as he has won 3 times in 2020 including his latest with a big move and a big 83 Beyer Speed Figure. (4) NIGHT WATCHMAN was second to Lapochka in his latest and maintains good form. (7) FEDERAL LAW continues his class slide and returns to the Tapeta.
Race 7 – This is the third leg of the Turf Sprint Series but the race has been moved to 5 furlongs on the Tapeta. (3) HITTERS PARK was brilliant winning the first leg of the series (there wasn't a second leg) and he just missed in his only try on the Tapeta surface, (7) SUMERIAN BELL will be happy this race came off the grass and he could wake up. (1) SWEET YARE N DIRA is a quick mare who was second against tough gals in her first try on Tapeta. (2) RECONFIGURE is back in just over a week and can land a purse share.
Race 8 – (11) LADY SUNSHINE lays over this big field of maiden fillies as she was second by a neck when claimed by Norm McKnight at this class level in her second outing of the year. (3) GET OFF MY TAIL is a Gary Barber owned gal who drops to a new low level to compete for $25,000 and the turn-back to 7 furlongs should work in her favour. (1) JACKIE MILTON has a pair of thirds in her last 2 races and is progressing. (9) HOLIDAY CURLS beat a few in a much tougher maiden race in July before folding in a route race last time.
Photo by Mr. Will Wong
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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 Toronto Star and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
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