Don't miss Ontario Racing UNFILTERED on CTV2, Saturday, March 30th at 8:00 PM EST. Whether you're a seasoned turf aficionado or new to the sport, prepare for an unforgettable experience. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat!

Jennifer Morrison’s Woodbine Thoroughbred Selections: Friday, September 4, 2020

Bet Now > Tips from the Pros > Jennifer Morrison’s Woodbine Thoroughbred Selections: Friday, September 4, 2020

Jennifer Morrison’s Woodbine Thoroughbred Selections: Friday, September 4, 2020

September 4, 2020
By Jennifer Morrison
Jennifer Morrison’s Woodbine Thoroughbred Selections: Friday, September 4, 2020
Best Bet –  (1) WHAT'S THE RUSH – Race 2
Spot Play  - (2) FINEST JEWEL – Race 5
Pick 4  (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 2, 4, 10 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,2,3,5 / 1, 7, 8 = $28.80


Race 1 – Two-year-olds begin the Friday card and first-time starter (2) DE ONLY SOLUTION is worth a look as he is from a mare who has had several winners including a quick 2-year-old winner. Patrick Husbands has been lured. (1) LAST ENDEAVOR worked hard in a pace battle in his career debut and missed by just half a length at 5 1/2 furlongs and now he tries one furlong more. (8) IMA SILENT FORCE has had gate training since his second straight race in which he hopped up at the start. He showed some closing power in his career debut. (3) AWESOME YET AGAIN is by Breeders' Cup Classic/Queen's Plate winner Awesome Again and his workout times have been good.
 
Race 2- (1) WHAT'S THE RUSH is one of several class droppers in this field of maiden fillies racing for $5,000 claiming. She could have things her own way on the pace if she gets going from her rail post. (2) D'S MULLIGAN is making her third start off the layoff and she had her best placing of her career in her latest. (8) BOSCOBEL will have blinkers on for the class drop and return to a Tapeta sprint. (3) SHISHKA has picked up a purse share in all 5 starts this year and she finished right beside the top pick last time.
 
Race 3- There are some nice prospects in this 5 1/2 furlong maiden allowance and (2) CELEBRATORY is back with maidens after finishing fourth in the Greenwood Stakes on the grass. He makes his 2020 Tapeta debut and the big question is if he can carry his good form over to the main track. (5) AIM FOR THE SKY is one of a pair of Robert Tiller trainees who did well in their debut outing on the turf Aug. 9 and this guy led all the way and missed by a head. (1) STRIKE NOW is a 4-year-old getting a late start to his career. He is the first foal of millionaire Dixie Strike and she beat the boys in the Prince of Wales. (3) CHECKERBOARD FLOOR was not far behind his mate 'Sky' in his debut.
 
Race 4 – The popular Pick 4 wager begins in this race, a $5,000 claiming event at 7 furlongs. (4) STRATE REMARK gets a slight nod as he has speed and may control the race on the pace. He was claimed for $7,500 last time but drops in class. (2) WHO'S GOT IT drops in class and he was at this level once last fall and was an easy winner. He gets blinkers as he tries a long sprint distance. (10) GROUNDHOG DAY is the youngest guy in the field as he is a 4-year-old meeting a pair of 11-year-olds, a 10-year-old, etc. He drops for his second start of the year. (6) KISSOFFIRE won two condition races to begin the season and he exits a tough turf race.
 
Race 5 – (2) FINEST JEWEL and rider Emma-Jayne Wilson may be able to win this Tapeta event but it is the first time this filly will be on that surface after eight grass outings. She was a close second in her latest around 2 turns on turf. (1) STORMY VISION is in good grass form but has won on the Tapeta. (4) CHEEKY PINT was well prepared by trainer Don MacRae to win her season debut on the grass and she will try the Tapeta surface again. (8) TWICK won her career debut in June and exits the grass race that many of these were in and she was not beaten far.
 
Race 6 – (1) NANA SAV has a solid 69 Beyer Figure from her maiden win two starts ago. She tried a route distance last time and faded and was claimed for $40,000. She reappears for $25,00 claiming in this sprint for trainer Mark Fournier who is 5 for 11 this year with his small stable. (2) CLASSY N' SILENT is the quickest gal in the field – she had a 4 length lead in her latest on turf when going the first 2 furlongs in 20 4/5. She will have to hold on going 6 furlongs. (3) D'S SOUL has a pair of 3rds this year and she exts a hot, key race at this class level. (5) GO GIGI GO GIGI GO put up a 67 Beyer Figure when she won her maiden and she drops slightly from her latest fringe placing.
 
Race 7 – (2) PEACE SEEKER has performed well on ling races on the grass and this 1 3/8 mile turf allowance has plenty of front running types who are not as accomplished in marathon events. (8) GRAND MESA makes her third start off the layoff and that could lead to a peak effort. She is unproven on the grass but could like the long distance. (7) GO FOR MO has not raced this year but won her maiden on the grass as a juvenile last year and she comes from the Mark Casse stable. (1) CLOSE IMAGE has been in good form this year on the grass but she is a question at the extended distance.
 
Race 8 – (7) MAJESTIC SLEW was claimed back by Joe DePaulo from his latest, a second straight win under Rafael Hernandez. He is sharp and has early speed which helps in this race. (4) EPILOGUE is a personal favourite, a hard trying fellow who has been in tough spots to begin 2020. He gets a class drop and returns to the main track. (8) SLIP KID is down in claiming price and also switching back to Tapeta and this 9-year-old seems his 17th win. (6) CRAWL FROM THE BAR was claimed for about this price in July and has reportedly been gelded since.
 
Race 9 – (10) FLASHYMEISTER was my pick last time and he was 4th at 22 to 1 against tougher. He is from a hot owner/trainer combo. (1) ITSTARTSWITHADRINK has run well in some tough races in the last year and he fits nicely in this race. (8) LAUDERDALE comes out of the red-hot Dan Vella barn. (9) TRACK D GOLD has not raced this year but tumbles in class and he ended 2019 with a win.

Photo by Mr. Will Wong

*

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