Best Bet – (8) AM PREPARED – Race 5
Spot Play - (6) DANCER'S GHOST – Race 6
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) - 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 / 1, 8 / 2, 4, 6 / 1, 6, 9 = $18.00
Race 1 – (1) KILKENNY PROSPECT is the logical selection since he came oh-so close to finally winning his maiden in his first race of this year with Rafael Hernandez riding. He will get his blinkers back for his 19
th career outing. If you are seeking a bit more value then (7) LUCKY STREET is your guy. He had traffic woes last time when he was the top pick by this corner and finished fast. (6) SCHIMMEL has not raced since a 2018 debut against better and he could sneak into exotics. (5) CHAIRMAN FIFTYFIVE is another class dropper and he figures to have his best outing of 2020.
Race 2- (3) BLACK SAGE has had 2 super outings to begin her season, both at 5 furlongs at this $7,000 claiming level and one on turf. There is other speed in this dash but she has a double advantage in Beyer Speed Figures (last 2 numbers higher than last 2 numbers of any other in the field) and can fight her way to a win. (7) ROSE RING switches back to the Tapeta surface for her second race of the season and she ran against so much better last year with success. (4) BLONDE ATTITUDE tried 7 furlongs last time and ran out of gas while in traffic trouble. (5) BEAU'S BEAUTY added Lasix in her 23
rd race and won at Fort Erie at 1 to 9.
Race 3 - (3) STRIKING MOON drops in class, switches to Tapeta and shortens up to the distance at which he won his maiden with a 73 Beyer Speed Figure last summer. He is eligible to wake up big time. (1) STREET SILENCE is one of a couple of quick ones in this 5 1/2 furlong dash and he had an improved outing in his second start at Woodbine for owner Larry Johnson. From the rail post he has to work out a trip that won't get him burned out in a pace battle. (2) KID FORESTER had a super return outing when he led late at this class level and distance. A similar trip might work out well for him. (5) SILENCIUM wore blinkers for a 5 furlong turf dash last time and did all the pace work but got pipped at the wire.
Race 4- The Pick 4 wager begins here with a big field of $7,500 non-winners of 2 at 7 furlongs. This could be the day for (1) CAT'S WHISPER who has performed well for trainer Shelley Fitzgerald and jockey Rafael Hernandez in two races this year. He seeks his first win since his 2017 maiden score. (2) CAUSE FOR ALARM turns back from route racing to 7 furlongs and since he has been losing ground in those onger events, this one-turn trip should work well. (4) CAPTAIN VINNIE just won his maiden with a hard effort while wide and he can grab a share. (10) CHARLES STREET stumbled at the start of his latest and he returns to a sprint and his maiden win June 19 was good enough to get him on the short list.
Race 5 – (8) AM PREPARED won a race just like this one mile turf claiming race last fall and he had a tune-up run June 19. He was a bit sluggish from the gate in his comeback but picked up 5
th place and the 3
rd place finisher came back to win next time out. A big workout time since his latest says he is ready to go forward. (1) HYTHE has done very well on the inner turf course since it opened and he has had two main track sprints to begin his 2020 campaign and will enjoy the switch to grass. (3) FLASH OF SILVER tries grass for the first time after his main track win June 19 when he bore out on the last turn. He has little immediate grass breeding so don't take a low price. (6) WE TAKE CHECKS drops in class and he seems to handle the inner turf course well.
Race 6 – (6) DANCER'S GHOST may have found a spot to win his maiden as he drops back into a maiden/optional claiming event. He met much tougher in his 2
nd race of the year and possibly regressed inform off a hard working runner-up placing in his return. (4) GUESTIMATION is a 4-year-old overdue for his maiden win and he led late in his last appearance in November. (2) KUDURO deserves a little look. He had a horrendous journey last time when sent hard from the gate as if it was a sprint and he was out of gas in the stretch and then checked hard. (5) ARCHIE'S LINK adds blinkers and moves out to a distance for which he is bred.
Race 7 – Maidens tackle 1 1/8 miles and it is hard to hang your hat on any one horse but (1) LOOKOUT LOUIE is by a sire who loved long races such as this and Louie had a solid sprint debut and then a troubled second start (6) SHANGASSAH had a close third in his local return on turf after a winter in Florida and he is a low-priced contender. (9) HELL BENT is a $400,000 purchase who has not shown much in his four races on grass and this is his Woodbine and Tapeta debut. (8) VIRGIL CAINE drops in class and adds blinkers for his third career race and he figures to show some progress.
Race 8 – (5) DR. GREEN was an impressive maiden winner on the grass last time when the hot pace slowed and he rallied to a big win. He veered in in early stretch and while he appeared clear of rivals, he was demoted. He will try to duplicate that effort on the Tapeta. (11) DADDYPLAYSTHEBLUES was behind Dr. Green in their latest meeting on the grass and is worth including in exotics. (2) VELOCE came close to winning his maiden in November and he is a logical top three player.(8) FINAL ECLIPSE took all kinds of betting support for his career debut in a sprint but he faded early. He has blinkers off for this longer test.
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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