Best Bet – (4) HEAD KITTEN – Race 1
Spot Play - (3) TRAPPEZE ARTIST – Race 7
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7): 2, 6, 7 / 4, 5, 6 / 1, 3, 7, 9 / 2, 3, 4 = $21.60
Late Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 6-9): 1, 3, 7, 9 /, 2, 3, 4 / 1, 3 / 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 = $28.80
Race 1 – (4) HEAD KITTEN may be able to run down the speed in this 5 furlong dash for maidens. (1) DIXIE WIL is taking a mighty class drop for his first race since August and is 7 to 5 in the morning line. He just has to avoid a speed duel with other quick ones to his outside. (3) DARK ALE ran a winning race July 3, his first outing since Dec. 2018. (5) SOUPER DEPUTY is the lone first time starter in the field and he is by a good debut sire.
Race 2- (8) BEND IN THE RIVER was claimed from a huge return outing when he posted an 80 Beyer Figure in a 5 furlong main track maiden dash. He regressed a bit in his latest but can bounce back in his 2
nd start for trainer Martin Drexler who sent out 2 winners on this inner turf course on Friday. (2) APPELLA, a 4-year-old filly, has been unlucky not to have won her maiden just yet for the Mike Keogh barn. She was just edged in her season debut at 6 furlongs on turf and then was surprisingly disqualified for interference at the start. (3) MYCRAZYLIFE is a 4-year-old beginner by the Tapit stallion Flashback and this guy has had quick workouts. (5) STERLING ICE getsLasix and blinkers following a good run in his career debut at 6 furlongs on turf.
Race 3- (3|) DANCING DOLL flopped at 4 to 5 in her local return but elected to go speeding on the lead and that did not work. (1) PIQUET looks pretty good in this non-winners of 3 for $25,000 as she had a solid return outing against slightly better. In addition, there is loads of pace for her to run at which includes (2) SAMURAI QUEEN, who comes off a career best outing in her return, an 80 Beyer Figure from a front running romp. (6) PINK SCRIBBLES can be along for a share in her first race of the year.
Race 4- The first Pick 4 starts here and (7) BETWIXTING is a consistently good filly who was a smart second in her return in a shorter turf dash. She moves to Tapeta and has a lot of speed to track to her inside. (2) MISS BEHAVE just ran a career best race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf when missing by a head. She handles the Tapeta. (6) SAY HEY is a French filly who won her debut at 1 mile on turf last summer at Chantilly. The pretty bay has tried an all weather track and finished well and she is bred to sprint. (5) PRINCESS FABIANA is 2 for 2 this year and posted a 63 Beyer Figure each time. She will need to go forward to do it again.
Race 5 – This one-mile, inner turf claiming race is a tough read but (6) SALTINI could double up since he just won his Woodbine debut in a turf sprint and he prefers a bit more distance. He was this corner's pick last time at 5 1/2 to 1 but he figures to be a lot lower in odds this time. (4) FIRE FOR EFFECT won this this class level on inner turf last fall and he has been working regularly for this opener. (5) COMBATIVE, a $500,000 yearling, is offered for claiming for the first time and note that he won his maiden on the inner turf. (3) COLEYVILLE has not win in a couple of years but he returns to claiming and can sneak into exotics.
Race 6 – Today's second Pick 4 begins here. What a roll (1) WALKABOUT CREEK has been on for owner/trainer Mike Doyle. The Ontario-bred was losing for $4,750 claiming last fall but then went on a 4 race winning streak. He was second to a good one last time at this allowance class. (3) STORMFUHR has loads of pace to run at and appears to be cycling up to a top effort. (7) BLUE BELT is an interesting newcomer coming off a win at Belmont in fast time, He has done well in limited all-weather surface attempts. (9) FORESTER'S TURN is a lightly raced 3-year-old with some stalking ability.
Race 7 – This could be the toughest race of the day to sort out, a 5 furlong turf dash for non-winners of 2. Will go longshot shopping and take (3) TRAPPEZE ARTIST in his grass debut. He has grass breeding more importantly, gets back to his best distance of 5 furlongs and his season debut at this distance was super. (2) FOUR ACES HIGH is a turf sprint specialist and ran to his heavy backing last time. (4) ENNIS THE MENACE could bounce back from a flop in the Queenston Stakes in his turf debut. (7) D MAGICIAN went far too fast on the pace last time.
Race 8 – (3) CONSTANTINO is hard to go past in this 6 1/2 furlong race as he won his season debut, won 6 of his last 11 and loves this 6 1/2 furlong distance. (1) BIG LEAGUE will try to turn the tables on the wily veteran who edged him at 5 furlongs on the turf June 28. (8) SOUPER FLY OVER has been on the flat side so far in 2 starts and (1) KITTEN'S SOLUTION is in good form and returns to Woodbine.
Race 9 – (8) LEAD DIRECTOR is a first time starter with plenty of super workouts for trainer Robert Tiller. Owner Dr. Rolph Davis bought this guy's mum carrying this fellow who is bred to be fast. (10) LAST AMERICAN EXIT is another Tiller trainee who ran a sharp race off the layoff. (5) SPEEDY MOONLITE ran a corker first time out in his career and as his name states, he is speedy. (2) CANADIAN PHAROAH was bought privately from the mass dispersal of Zayat Stable horses. This guy was recently nominated to the Canadian Triple Crown.
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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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