Best Bet – (4) CITY BOY – Race 8
Spot Play – (7) CARL G – Race 5
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : 1, 3, 5 / 2, 3, 7 / 6, 7, 8, 10/ 1, 5, 8 = $21.60
Late Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 8-11): 4 / 2, 5, 6, 10 / 7,9 / 1, 2 = $6.40
Race 1 – (5) TIZLEGAL gets a further drop in class for the Mark Casse barn and this is her first turf outing for maiden claiming. Her turf Beyer Figures average about 68 and she is the 2 to 1 morning line favourite. (6) SKY DRAGON had a clear lead deep in the stretch of the inner turf last time but was caught late and she is close to winning her maiden. (1) FREEDOM MACHINE was a clear third in her latest on the main turf course is is improving now. (4) NORTHERN ALLURE gets more distance for her second try on turf.
Race 2- (4) CASH DIVIDEND may be able to win this good allowance race based on his two outings in 2020. Like the fact that he has been working strongly since his latest when a closing second. (6) RED HIERARCHY is an unbeaten 3-year-old who is up to the next level after a handy score last time over easier. (9) SPEEDY HANS loves the Tapeta as he's 2 for 2 for Mark Casse including his latest off a short layoff. (2) MIRACLE SILVER has had tough trips in four of his 5 races this year. This is a tough field for him to handle but he could hit the superfecta,
Race 3- Gail Cox trainee (4) TIO MAGICO gets blinkers and Lasix and a long turf race for his second career race. The son of Uncle Mo is from a mare who was a turf stakes winner at Woodbine and this guy's trainer has a 38% win rate with maiden 2
nd time starters. (6) SUPPLICATION has had some nifty workouts for the Mark Casse barn and he is bred all over for a long turf race. (2) CALIFORNIA KEEN is the first local starter for the great California Chrome and this guy is a half brother to champion Conquest Enforcer, who loved grass. (3) TOURIST'S DREAM is the first Ontario bred for Gary barber and he has a lot of good workout times and his sire loved grass.
Race 4- The Pick 4 wager starts here and most of these gals are still trying to sort themselves out. (1) LA ISADORA is one of a couple in the field who landed in the top three in her last race and that was her career debut. She should handle the Tapeta in this second start. (3) RAVEN'S SONG can be excused for her latest when she was fried in a pace battle in a long turf race. The Medaglia D'Oro filly is bred to handle the main track. (5) BALLROOM OF MARS was in a stakes race last time on a speed favouring track on Queen's Plate day. Toss that race and before that she had an 80 Beyer Figure in a 9 furlong maiden event. She should be rallying. (6) DICTATE cost just $4,000 in January but has impressive workout times and is by a top sire in Hard Spun.
Race 5 – (7) CARL G likes grass but his two turf starts were around 2 turns and he blew leads in both, He is bred to love this shorter distance. (3) ANIMAL KRACKERS ran a good race in his lone turf sprint but he was erratic in that rough stretch battle and was disqualified from 2
nd to 8
th. The winner came back to score again. He drops to $10,000 maiden claiming and looks good on turf or the main track (should it rain). (2) FINAL STRIKE also drops in class and he is bred for grass and this is just his second outing on the green, He worked hard while wide to be 4
th in his latest behind the to pick. (8) TALL WATER is getting closer to his maiden win and this $10,000 level is where he fits. He has placed on turf and is just fine on the main track also.
Race 6 – (6) MASON'S GAMBLE is a first time starter from the Josie Carroll barn and by a local sire who has had some good, quick runners from a few foals. (8) DERZKEII returns to the Tapeta after a turf try and he was a decent 4
th in the Simcoe Stakes 2
nd time out. (10) COLTONS DREAM has had good speed in his two races and he stayed on better second time out. (7) SILVER SMOKE gets blinkers and exits a hot maiden race for his first start.
Race 7 – This is a 1 3/8 mile turf marathon and should the race stay on grass (1) PEACE OF EKATI could be all set to win based on his pair of good efforts in August in long grass races. (5) MNEMBA ISLAND is a nice 3-year-old who is 2 for 2 at Woodbine this year on the Tapeta and he has some grass breeding. (8) OLLIEMYBOY exits the Queen's Plate and had no chance against the speed bias. He has some grass breeding but more than anything, will love the long distance. (3) PLEASECALLMEBACK is back in action 2 weeks after a good run on the inner turf, his first race since he was re-claimed by Roger Attfield.
Race 8 – The late Pick 4 wager begins here. (4) CITY BOY is a cozy fit in this Vice Regent Stakes for Ontario bred guys at 5 furlongs on turf. He was just third to the mighty Pink Lloyd in the Grade 3 Vigil on the main track and last year City Boy won the Grade 2 Nearctic on turf. (2) SABLE ISLAND has been away one year but is very fast and last summer he was graded stakes place on turf. (1) FORESTER'S TURN is a stakes winner this year in a turf sprint and is a good 3-year-old meeting older guys. (5) ALICIA'S KID is in the midst of a big season and he has won his last 2 turf sprints.
Race 9 – Can the 12-year-old warrior (10) OCCASIONAL VIEW get back to winning ways with the drop to $15,00 claiming in this first race since July? He runs well fresh and no doubt has been waiting for cooler weather and he loves a grass sprint. (6) DANI'S VICTORY is more of a 'now' horse based on his super form this year; he has come a long way since his win for $5,00 claiming last summer. (2) CALL ME WALLY is better on turf these days and if he gets grass he can wake up with a better outing. (5) MAJESTIC SLEW has been moving around from barn to barn this year and has been doing well. His speed should come in handy on turf or Tapeta.
Race 10 – This 5 1/2 furlong allowance/optional claiming race is almost a stakes calibre event with many good ones in the big field. (7) MALIBU SECRET has been chasing Pink Lloyd a lot this year and he will welcome the class drop. (5) STORMFUHR is in very sharp form and is a guy who can perhaps catch up in time if here is a hot pace up front. (9) RECONFIGURE is a tough old timer who won a short Tapeta dash recently against an easier field but his latest on turf at this class was sharp. (4) SALIERI is one of the quicker ones out of the gate and while he is better on grass he could last for a share.
Race 11 – If this race stays on the grass (2) DEEP FREEZE is going to be tough on the pace and he won his season debut against tougher. (1) FORESTER'S FESTINY won by 5 lengths 9 days ago on the Tapeta and has placed on the grass. (6) R U WATCHING BUD must be respected if the race stays on the inner urf as she won on this course the last time he tried it. (11) STREET LEGAL is in good form and he has tactical speed and handles both turf and Tapeta.
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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