BEST BET: (4) SPANISH MATADOR – Race 5
SPOT PLAY: (3) SUMMER LOAD – Race 7
Today's Pick 4 Play (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : 4,5,9, 11 / 4 / 1, 6, 12 / 3, 5, 7, 11 = $9.60
Late Pick 4 Play (.20 cents, Races 6 through 9): 1, 6, 12 / 3, 5, 7, 11 / 4, 7, 9 / 1, 3, 6, 9 = $28.80
Race 1 – (2) COPINSAY ran a nice race two starts ago when he beat a couple of these but he changed his style last time and got burned out in a wild pace battle. A better-measured approach to this 7 furlong race would help him get back to a top effort. (6) RIVERRUN is logical as he drops several class levels for his first race since is season debut on grass in June. That was a good effort when second and he may be taking an edge on this field. (7) ICOMEFROMDOWNTOWN did just that to win his maiden last time on the class drop. When Bob Tiller's horses win, they come back to win in their next start 29% of the time (last 2 years). (5) MISTER OAKLEY was wide throughout his latest when not far behind Copinsay.
Race 2- It is tough to go against (5) THE REIGN MAN off his 72 Beyer Figure last time when narrowly beaten at this class level. The distance is a bit longer, 6 1/2 furlongs, so he will have to time his move better as the pace will be hot. (9) HEY CONGRATS is the big speed in the field and this distance will be a test for him but he should be in front of a while. (3) PINKY DUDE plunged in class to the bottom level last time but missed by a neck and he was claimed by a hot stable. (1) CHARLES STREET had tow good Beyer Figures for this level before his latest and recently had a sharp workout time.
Race 3- (1) BLOCKBUSTER cycled up to a top Beyer Figure last time, a 77, when third for $25,000 and he drops in class for owner/trainer Mark Casse. (6) ORAZIO has won 2 of his last 3 races and his latest was an handy score at this level. (8) REDOUTE'S LIGHT was always far back last time but drops several levels and is capable of much better. (4) NESTLETON HUSH has placed at this 9 furlong distance and fits with this field.
Race 4 – The blinkers coming off (4) STRIKE A BEAT may help him see who is coming to get him in the late stages. He has been in contention to win in a few recent races only to squander the lead. He is like many in the field who have had quite a few chances to win the main race. (5) GRAZELY was fourth against slightly better last time and is lightly raced. His recent workout times have been strong. (9) OUR UNCLE DREW has been 2
nd or 3
rd 12 times since last year and (11) FIFTH SEASON has a wide post but beat several of these last time when he led late only to be caught on the wire.
Race 5 – (4) SPANISH MATADOR has a double advantage in Beyer Figures over his rivals – his last 2 Beyers are higher than the last 2 of any other guy. (8) HURRICANE DANCER has put up a 71 Beyer Figure in his last 3 Tapeta sprints.(5) PATROL loved getting back to the Tapeta surface last time and he won with a good rally at this claiming price. (1) BALA FALLS should have speed from the inside and that makes him one to respect.
Race 6 – (6) KEEN SAMURAI was claimed for this price more than a month ago and he was in the hunt for the win right before the wire. (1) BORN TO BE KING experimented with 1 1/16 miles last time bit he ran out of gas and he quickly gets back to a sprint. (12) ORPHAN HALLIE came from well back to be in the trifecta just 13 days ago when adding blinkers. (5) BURNING LOVE needs a wake up run but he was not lucky out of the gate last time when behind 'Hallie'.
Race 7 – (3) SUMMER LOAD is not only by the country's leading 1
st crop sire, Reload, but his mum Summers Edge is the granddam of last weekend's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Vequist. This guy ran well enough in his debut, gets Lasix and Edmonton-born apprentice Mauricio Malvaez. (11) ABSTEMIOUS was looking for grass last time but didn't get it and he had a much better outing in a sprint for maiden claiming in his debut. First time starters (5) HIGHLAND SOCIETY, who had a quick gate blow out on Nov. 7 and (7) SAME AGAIN DOC, by Reload, are worth considering,
Race 8 – (9) FREE SPEECH lands at the bottom level and switches to the main track after a few fringe placings on turf. He can wake up in his second race with blinkers. (7) AGNELLI also drops to the $5,000 claiming price and the blinkers come off. He is still capable of hitting a Beyer Figure in the mid 50s to low 60s. (4) CAPTAIN VINNIE had a very slow start last time but any of his previous outings makes him a contender. (12) A GERSHWIN TUNE has a wide post but gets more distance and that works in his favour.
Race 9 – (6) KID'S MISCHIEF elected to speed to a clear lead early in his latest but that was against his style. He meets easier and is a logical top three contender. (9) HEYDON'S CASE is coming back on form it appears and he cuts back from a route to a long sprint. (1) CAT ZAPPER came as close as a horse can get to ending a long winless streak in his latest, his 13
th career second place finish. (3) UNCLE GRUMPY is 2 for 4 on all weather surfaces and he has been in good form at Fort Erie and a high 60 Beyer Figure is projected.
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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