Best Bet – (7) BLIND AMBITION – Race 8
Spot Play - (7) LONDONDERRY – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 1, 8, 9 / 5, 7, 8, 10 / 7, 8, 9 / 1, 2 = $14.40
Race 1 – (3) BLOCKBUSTER came to Woodbine off a layoff in July and promptly won a non-winners of 2 in his first try on the Tapeta surface. Toss out his latest at this $25,000 claiming level on the grass as as he was outrun early and tried to rally from far back. (5) CALL IT A WRAP posted an 81 Beyer Figure in his latest for $40,000 claiming, just about coming back to his career top Beyer he earned in Alberta. He is one of several in the race who like to come from well off the pace. (1) SOCIETY'S TIGER has been just behind Call It a Wrap in his last pair of starts but had an 81 Beyer Figure at this route distance last fall. (2) NESTLETON HUSH is another closing type who can post Beyers in the mid 70s if he hurries along.
Race 2- (3) BEL BIMBO is 2 for 2 at the 7 furlong distance and recently put up a 70 Beyer Figure for $14,00 claiming. He is offered for just $5,000 and looks strong. (2) LYRICAL NOTE is another one taking a bit class plunge and he was not far behind the top pick in their latest meeting. (5) D'S BEN can wake up in this spot. He had a decent season debut off a 13 month layoff then had a troubled outing, then grass, a surface he does not excel on. (1) VICTOR'S DESTINY just won his for $9,500 at 5 1/2 furlongs and his speed could go a long way.
Race 3- This is a maiden race for $5,00 claiming and pretty much anything goes here. (4) DEALMAKER looks most likely as he had shown big speed for $40,000 optional claiming and he had a 65 Beyer |Figure in his season debut. If the top pick can't quite get there, perhaps (5) BOLDPASSER, a beginner who is 5-years-old, is worth a look. He has tons of speed breeding and two recent gate works in decent clockings for 4 furlongs. (3) SOCIETY'S MENACE has more than enough pedigree for this level being by Society's Chairman and he had a swift 3 furlong gate prep Sept. 11. (7) BULLET SPEED will appreciate the cutback to 5 furlongs.
Race 4 – The Pick 4 wager begins here and classy stakes winner (1) GLENVILLE GARDENS tries the inner turf course for the first time and he won on the main turf at this $25,000 class two starts ago. He has loads of pace to run at and has the inside post. (9) FLORIDA WON, another graded stakes winner and now 9-years-old, has been second in all 3 of his races this year including two events at 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf. (8) GORGEOUS KITTEN missed by a nose in his latest around one turn on the main turf and also came close in July on the inner turf. (4) THE BOSS FACTOR is one of several who like the front early but he could sit a stalking trip as he shortens up a bit in distance and he has only recently discovered a love for turf.
Race 5 – (7) LONDONDERRY comes off a 2 month+ break from racing but she has been working regularly. Her string of Beyer Figures in the 60s last fall make her interesting in this return to the main track. (8) FROST DANCE won her maiden on the grass in her third race of the season and she added blinkers that day. She has placed on the Tapeta.(5) A LITTLE VOODOO was easy to like off the claim last time and she lasted to win her maiden over Shedat, who came right back to win. She is unproven on the Tapeta but has only tried it once. (10) GIZMO'S PRINCESS switches back to Tapeta and this is her first run for $25,000 claiming on the main track and she can rally for a good share.
Race 6 – There are many possibilities in this low level claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs and maybe (7) MUNCH AND CRUNCH can duplicate a winning pattern she had in 2019. She won her maiden last year when she cut back from a route distance to a sprint and at 12 to 1 she is an interesting price horse. (8) TREASURE FINDER did well against better last year and may be taking an edge in this season debut dropping in class. (9) I'M A GINGER has been in good form while changing trainers a few times. (11) SHOWBIZ LADY and (10) DOWN WITH BROWN are the pace runners who could stick around for shares.
Race 7 – (1) BIONDETTI'S CHOICE is a nice, big mare who makes her first start since February at Gulfstream and she won off a layoff on turf last June. She was a 4-time winner in 2019 and this is her first try on the inner course. (2) NOT ORBINARY is a head away from being unbeaten in 3 races this year all on the inner turf which she gets to compete on once again. (4) SPIDER DANCE is very dangerous as she makes her 3
rd start off the layoff and was really motoring late in her most recent. (6) PIQUET comes off a win against easier.
Race 8 – (7) BLIND AMBITION looks very strong in this turf sprint allowance/optional since he had a nice run up the rail behind Pink Lloyd in the Grade 3 Vigil last time and was third in the Grade 3 Connaught in his local return. He adds blinkers and wore then to win a turf stake in 2018. (6) PIVEN is a stablemate of the top pick and he also gets blinkers, He handles grass okay and he in good form. (4) RECONFIGURE got back on the winning track in his latest on the Tapeta against easier and he loves turf. (8) BOREAL SPIRIT is a fast one who loves a turf sprint and he has been freshened since he faded in his season opener in July.
Race 9 – (3) FINAL STRIKE drops in class and cuts back from a route distance to 7 furlongs after a super, mid-race move to the lead in his latest. (5) KING OF THE RING put up a high 66 Beyer Figure with his big rally to just miss last time and this maiden level. (8) RED ASTAIRE continues to pick up good placings for owner/trainer Julia Carey and he is close to his maiden win. (2) PRINCE MARTHEUS has been gelded since his career debut which was not too bad and came on turf, He drops and moves to the Tapeta.
Photo by John Watkins
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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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