Best Bet – (3) SUCCEESANDSURPASS – Race 6
Spot Play – (2) ABOVE ALL NAMES – Race 3
Pick 4 Play (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 1, 6, 7 / 1, 7, 10 / 3, 10 / 1, 5,6 = $10.80
Late Pick 4 Play (.20 cents, Races 8-11): 5,6, 9 / 1, 2, 4, 12 / 8 / 2, 4, 7/ - $6.20
Race 1 – (1) FABIOLLA had some trouble in her lone try on the Tapeta and led late in her first outing for maiden claiming last time on grass. (4) LA CROIX VALMER invades for trainer Michael Stidham and she is racing for maiden claiming for the first time, a big class drop, and trying an all weather surface for the first time. She has worked in good clockings on the all weather at Fair Hill. (7) SOUPER PECAN has been second or third in her last 5 races on Tapeta and turf and is overdue to win. (3) CEDAR VALLEY was not far behind a couple of these gals last time.
Race 2- (5) KITTEN'S SOLUTION put up his best career Beyer Figure in a turf sprint a year ago July. Still, he might be better on the main track but at 8 to 1 on the morning line and making his second start for the hot Marty Drexler barn, he is a consideration. (2) CONQUISTADOR is the big speed horse in this turf sprint and he will have to be caught. (7) CALL ME WALLY has won two straight on Tapeta and he likes grass. (10) FAST NEGOTATIONS drops to a new low class level.
Race 3- (2) ABOVE ALL NAMES was my pick in her latest but she had no chance after getting away behind the field and then sitting far off a very slow pace. This race does not have a lot of pace either so she has to try and stay in range. (3) TUNED came off a long layoff Sept. 26 at Belmont and finished fast to be third with a hefty Beyer Figure of 85, Graham Motion has had 7 top three finishers from his 12 Woodbine invaders in 2020. (6) STRIKE AT DAWN has big Beyer Figures on grass in California and a fast recent Woodbine workout. (4) PREFERRED GUEST has won 2 straight since she got back to grass but now meets much tougher.
Race 4- This is a competitive opening leg of the Pick 4 with some sharp speedsters at 5 1/2 furlongs. (6) DARK ALE has been great since missing all of 2019 and you can toss out the grass race. (1) CHASING VINNY can be right in the thick of the battle if he gets away from the gate a bit quicker. (7) RED FROG is very quick and that makes him dangerous. (2) WHITE WEDDING drops in class and shortens in distance r which is good for him.
Race 5 – First time starter (10) SPITE STORE worked in an amazing 21 flat for 2 furlongs for that Ocala sale in April. This chestnut-turning red-roan gelding is from a mare whose half brother is Horse of the Year and champion sprinter Fatal Bullet. (7) ARZAK had the worst trip for a first time starter last time at Delaware; he broke sluggishly and then was sent hard to get into a tough pace battle and he understandably tired. Giving him another chance. (1) MAGIC SPIN has lost two close ones in succession. (12) ABSOLUTIST comes from the powerful Josie Carroll barn.
Race 6 – (3) SUCCEEDANDSURPASS (IRE) comes in for trainer Graham Motion with some big Beyer Figures and quite a few second and third place finishes in New York and California. He is a standout. (10) PEACE OF EKATI tried a graded stakes race last time but it was too tough and he gets some class relief and will like the shorter distance of this turf race. (1) FINALIST was claimed from his latest, his second straight win and he handles turf and route distances. (9) PLEASECALLMEBACK is back on grass and that is his best surface. He is lightly raced this year and can can hit the exotics.
Race 7 – (5) OUT OF ROMANCE had a pleasing debut when second on the inner turf with a steady rally. She should handle the switch to Tapeta. (6) CONZIP switches to the Tapeta after a near miss in hr latest around 2 turns on the inner turf when claimed. (11) MS WICKED was third in the Muskoka Stakes before trying grass but she was outrun in that race. She is offered for claiming in this route race on the main track. (2) SKY OF DREAMS rallied in her debut to be second din a sprint and she is bred to handle the longer distance.
Race 8 – Have to like the 'green' boys in this maiden turf race. (5) POUND GREEN has been second in both career races but was disqualified from his good run on turf last time. (6) DR. GREEN has had some time off but he already 'won' an inner turf maiden race easily, only to be disqualified. (10) VOLTAMOUR had a mild run in his lone turf try and will like stretching out for a return to grass. (9) STRIKE NOW is regally bred and he has had some time off from his debut to get ready for his first grass attempt.
Race 9 – There are quite a few speed runners in this short dash so perhaps (2) ASHA IRONBORN, who ran a wake up race when second last time, can jump on the speed late and get the win. (12) SHOW SOME SKIN has a series of good Beyer Figures compared to her rivals but her wide post is not a help. (4) PURPLE SCOOTER, who cuts back a bit in distance, could also chase and pounce. (1) LATER GATOR could be the best speed in the field.
Race 10 – (8) LORD WIMBORNE should be able to break through with a win in this 3
rd try at this class level and first run on the inner turf. His trainer and rider won both stakes races on Saturday. (7) ENGLISH CLASSIC shortens up and drops in class and he has the Beyer Figures to contend plus some speed to run at. (1) DOCTOR UPTOWN loves the grass and did well in his last inner turf course outing. (4) JAMMIN STILL gave sprinting a try last time bit he had too much ground to make up and this distance is better.
Race 11 – (7) SUITEDCONNNECTED won at this claiming price on the Tapeta in September and earned a hefty Beyer Figure for the class. He has been off that mark since then but switches from turf to the main track. (4) ITSTARTSWITHADRINK has won both of his career races on the Tapeta and he runs better from off the pace. |He was in a pace duel last time so he will need a change of tactics. (2) TRULY ELITE could not come through as the favourite last time but he has maintained goo form. (3) MAJESTIC MELODY is a tough front runner who handles the main track well enough to contend.
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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