BEST BET: (5) TOOK A WRONG TURN – Race 5
SPOT PLAY: (2) MIZZONA – Race 6
Pick 4 Play (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : all / 5/ 2 / 1, 2, 8 - $7.20
Race 1 – This race is scheduled for the inner turf but whatever surface it is on (2) A LITTLE VOODOO stands out since she has won two straight for $40,000 and $23,500 claiming and is now in for just $10,000. (3) POST TO POST will appreciate getting a bit more distance as she also drops down in class. (5) CAROLINA GRACE won on the inner course in August and had a quick recent workout to suggest she is rounding back into form. (6) CLAIRESSENCE comes out of the same race as some of these and it was not her best effort but this is an easier field.
Race 2- There was plenty of rain this week so this main turf course event could be moved to the main track. (13) CALL ME WALLY has a tough post in the big field but he is in sharp form currently and he handles Tapeta or turf. (11) KAIGUN has come to life at Fort Erie with 3 straight wins on that inner turf, adding to his $1.5 million in earnings. The 12-year-old warrior (7) OCCASIONAL VIEW has been far short of his best form this year but is now in for just $10,000 claiming. (2) BADJEROS BOY is making his 3
rd start off the layoff and is coming into better form now.
Race 3- (10) STREET LEGAL ran a nice race with Rafael Hernandez riding two stars back when second to a red hot Where's the Widget. He is back on the main track after a solid turf effort. (9) MOON OVER MONTANA figures to be favoured as he comes in from Presque Isle and Arlington where he suddenly came back to strong form and he is a pace runner. (3) WILLY'S CASTLE has been very solid since July and he was just a neck back of the top pick last ime. (4) FIRE FOR EFFOECT could wake up with the big drop in class.
Race 4 –The Pick 4 wager starts here with a $5,000 maiden claiming race at 5 furlongs and (2) DUE NORTH gets the nod as she is a first time starter with fast workouts and her competition is weak. (12) DON'T SMILE LILA is quick enough to perhaps overcome her wide post. (8) REDHAIR N FRECKLES drops to the bottom claiming level and she was 3
rd in her debut in a good effort. (6) BOSCOBEL has been picking up top four placings on a regular basis recently.
Race 5 – (5) TOOK A WRONG TURN is stakes placed early in his career and returns to a maiden race and the Tapeta and should be well bet and right in the thick of things. (3) MAXIMUS MOMENTUS was in a pace battle last time after rallying for third in his previous outing. The winner of his latest came back to win the Display Stakes, (1) GALVASTON has given up the lead late in his last pair of races and he returns to a main track, one-turn race. (6) VIRREINATO is a beginner by leading sire Silent Name from a mare who had talent and his workout times have been good.
Race 6 – (2) MIZZONA is a steady gal on turf or Tapeta and there is a lot of pace in this race which should help her catch up. (4) REAL COAL is as fast as they come for 4 furlongs and she seeks her first win in a couple of seasons. (3) SUMMERLAND must avoid getting burned out pressing Real Coal but she can grab a share. (8) TWIRLING WIND comes in from Fort Erie where she has had tow big wins on turf and dirt.
Race 7 – This is the $100,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes and it is a very nice field to liven up a Friday. The impeccably bred (1) PAINTING got her first graded win last month with a just-in-time rally at 6 furlongs and she gets a bit more distance. (8) SOUPER ESCAPE won a pair of graded stakes in succession here before a flat outing in the Belle Mahone last time. She sprints very well and has speed to stalk. (2) FAIR MAIDEN, a stakes winner on turf at Woodbine last year, won her 2020 season opener last month at Churchill Downs on dirt in fine style. (4) SUMMER SUNDAY upset Souper Escape in the Belle Mahone when she led all the way and she is back in top form.
Race 8 – (2) STRATE REMARK is probably the quickest guy in the field and he won at this level of $5,00 claiming two starts ago and will have to be caught. (11) CAT ZAPPER has not won in a long time bit came close when 2
nd to Strate Remark two races ago.(8) SLIP KID is down to the bottom claiming level after a dull run last time. (13) KISSOFFIRE began his year with two wins and those were on the Tapeta. He is back on that surface after a pair of dull turf outings.
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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