Best Bet – (5) ANITA GRIGIO – Race 2
Spot Play - (5) SOUPER SMART – Race 6
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) : 5, 6, 8, 9 / all / 3, 5 / 1 = $12.40
Race 1 – (6) ROYAL FUERST tried 5 furlongs on the inner turf off the layoff but he was wide and could not hit the top three. He can go better with the switch to the main track. His stablemate (2) VIVIDARI drops in class again and he has speed but has to do better than his first race of the year. (1) RAVEN'S CRY is a Manitoba bred coming out of a key race at Assiniboia Downs and his first workout on Tapeta was super. (3) UNYIELDING would be undefeated if he stayed away from grass racing.
Race 2- (5) ANITA GRIGIO ran well enough in her season opener (second beaten only a neck) to be considered a win candidate in this maiden race. (3) O LA LA gets blinkers and a big class drop for her third career race and should be able to win her maiden if she saves some power for the last furlong. (6) MISS MATILDA had a wild change in running style last time as she sped away to a huge lead only to run out of gas and end up third. This is her third start off the layoff and she shortens up slightly in distance for trainer Ron Sadler. (7) BABY DRIVER is plunging in class and making her first start on the Tapeta.
Race 3- Two-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs and there are many possibilities. Will lean to beginner (2) TAPE TO TAPE, a flashy chestnut colt who worked 2 furlongs in 21 3/5 for a sale in Ocala in March despite jumping a shadow. His dad was a champion at 2 and the mare is bred for pure speed. The experienced juveniles will be tough including (4) PERFECT CRIME who ran a beautiful race first time out behind some good ones including next-out winner Ready to Repeat. (6) MAGIC SPIN was wide in his debut and he gets Lasix. (3) DANCING DRAGON had a clear lead into the stretch of his career debut only to get reeled in by a longshot.
Race 4- The Pick 4 begins with this race at 5 1/2 furlongs and I will follow the leading rider, Rafael Hernandez who stays with (8) PODGORA. This pair just missed in a race at this level at a long distance and that was this mare's second straight troubled trip. (5) MUSN'T GRUMBLE is the quickest in the field and the class droppers from the Catnerine Day Phillips barn are often threats. (6) FRENCH CHARM was claimed from her maiden win by a high percentage trainer. (9) CASSIE'S RAINBOW has a solid Beyer Figure edge on most of these but she has also had a very busy summer already.
Race 5 – This race is scheduled for the inner turf at 1 mile and should it remain on grass (6) POWER HOUSE could have enough pace to run at to get close in this season opener. She ran a winning race on this course in August. (4) OXESOME is by a good grass sire and from a mare who is by a turf star. This gal is also racing fit. (2) MAMITA'S CHICA is coming off the layoff and may need a race or two but she likes turf. (9) TIZ MY RIGHT is worth a long look if she draws in from the also eligible list.
Race 6 – This race may come down to a pair of Martin Drexler trainees. (5) SOUPER SMART has been unlucky this year but he returns to the Tapeta surface for what could be a peak effort if he stays away from a frantic pace battle. (3) ANALYZER crushed rivals for $37,500 in his return to action and has won three times in his last four races since being claimed by Randy Exelby. He is strictly the one to beat. (2) PIVEN will be happy to get back to his favourite track and surface after a winter in New York and Florida. (4) WILE E PEYOTE has a super record on synthetic dirt and he makes his Woodbine debut for Nick Nosowenko.
Race 7 – The Shepperton Stakes for Ontario sired sprinters was carried over from Saturday to get more entries to face (1) PINK LLOYD and there are 5 brave souls in the mix. Pinkie was strong and steady in his season opener when he won the Jacques Cartier and he once again towers over his opposition. (6) NOT SO QUIET was 3
rd to Pinkie in the Jacques Cartier and is obviously in the mix as next best. (2) SOUPER SUCCESS will be going great guns to try and steal away on the pace and (4) MAGICAL MAN was very good last fall and he has worked well for his return off the layoff.
Race 8 – (8) DELIGHTFUL DREAMER gets the biggest class drop in racing with the move to maiden claiming from maiden allowance. She comes out of the hot Gail Cox barn. (9) GET OFF MY TAIL was 2
nd and 3
rd in a pair of maiden races at this route distance and class last fall and she begins 2020 in a reachable field. (6) BAYOU BELLE had a rough season debut as she stumbled mid race. She will wear blinkers for this longer race. (5) CLASSY GIZMO had a good closing effort on the grass around one turn in her latest.
Photo by Mr. Will Wong
*
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.
More Tips from the Pros