Best Bet – (6) GROUNDHOG DAY – Race 2
Spot Play – (1) APPELLA – Race 4
Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 4-7) - 1, 2, 3, 7 / 2, 5, 6, 9 / 1, 3, 5, 10 / 10 - $12.80
Late Pick 4 (.20 cents, Races 8-10) - 1, 4, 6, 8, 10 / 1, 7 / 5, 6, 10 / 2, 3, 5, 10 - $25.00
*Races scheduled for grass are handicapped for turf
RACE 1 – (6) GOLDMINE GLORY is the key to today's opener as she will be on the pace in her first attempt around two turns and back on the grass following her big maiden win on the main track. If jockey Boulanger can nurse her through the 7 1/2 furlongs she can hang on to win. (1) POST TO POST finally won her maiden in her 14
th attempt and oftentimes, horses who take a while to win have confidence and win right back. (5) MAGIC RIVER didn't take long to win her maiden once she returned from a Feb.-Aug. layoff and she shows three recent workouts.
RACE 2 – (6) GROUNDHOG DAY was given the call by this corner to win his latest on the main track and he had a good showing to be second. His best career Beyer Speed Figure came on the turf in a sprint and this six furlong distance on grass should be a perfect spot for him to get his first win of the season. (2) FRITZIE'S BOY won at six furlongs on the main turf at a higher claiming price two starts back and his late running style should be helped by the speed runners in the field. (8) BUTILOVESYABABE was competitive in turf sprints in the summer.
RACE 3 – (3) DIXIE'S GAMBLE was second to the mighty Pink Lloyd in the Shepperton Stakes two starts back but he flopped in the Kenora in August. He has had plenty of interim workouts for the strong combination of Ivan Dalos, trainer Josie Carroll and jockey Luis Contreras and he is 2 for 2 at this seven furlong distance. (1) MAGICAL MAN defeated Dixie's Gamble in the Kenora and then came out of that race to win at this distance last time with a big rally. The third-place finisher from that race has already come back to win. (2) JACKS ESCARPMENT is not the easiest one to figure out but he has been stakes placed in years past and he has speed to offer.
RACE 4 – (1) APPELLA has had two starts off the long layoff and she returns to a turf sprint. She had a super return race in a sprint and her latest at one mile was probably too far for her. The Mike Keogh barn has been on a roll of late. (2) TWOMANYSHHOTS, trained by Mike Keogh's former boss Roger Attfield, had a pleasing debut on the Tapeta and her younger half sister won her maiden on the grass last week. (3) FAITH OVER FEAR led almost all the way at a longer distance on turf in her third career start and she should like the shorter distance. Also consider (9) ADORE ME for superfectas as she is out of a stakes winning mare on turf and has had some good workout times.
RACE 5 – (6) QUEEN'S SPEED will have blinkers on for her third career start. She has been a little slow getting going in her races to begin her career and the new equipment could get her more focused. (9) PALACE TWO STEP was a recent vet scratch but her debut outing behind the fast Artie's Princess, who has since won again, was solid. (5) SHOW SOME SKIN is by the super Ontario sire Souper Speedy and she has had some sizzling workout times.
RACE 6 – (1) MUSN'T GRUMBLE is a first time starter with a tricky post position but she is from the first crop of the continent's third-leading first-crop sire, Competitive Edge. That sire has 14 winners this year and four stakes winners. (10) DISAPPEARING ACT had trouble in her debut on turf but still finished second and two from that race have come back to win their maiden. (5) POSITIVE DANGER is by the top sire Uncle Mo and she is a half sister to stakes winners Sky Treasure and Surgical Strike. Also consider (3) FRENCH CHARM in exotic wagers.
Race 7 – (10) MAGIC SPELL was in a good spot to win last time in a similar turf sprint but she had nowhere to go for most of the stretch run. She needs things to go all her own way and a bit more killer instinct in the stretch run. (1) DANCING DOLL won on yielding turf two starts ago and was at this level last time and closed a gap. She has had a fast interim workout. (8) VEIL dropped in class for her latest on the main track and when the pacesetters went too fast, she inherited the win. She fares okay on the turf.
Race 8 – The $225,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes is the premier race for Canadian-foaled 2-year-old fillies and (1) CURLIN'S VOYAGE, placed first in the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes is even-money in the morning line. She had a lofty Beyer Figure from the Mazarine, 79, and she was impeded by the winner that day. Even if she regresses off that outing, she will be tough to beat. (7) MERVEILLEUX was wonderful in her maiden win and she has had two good workout times since that victory. (3) AVIE'S SAMURAI tried two turns on the inner turf last time and had a big lead late that she squandered. She will need to distribute her energy better.
Race 9 – (5) FRESH DREAMS is lightly raced in 2019 with just two starts and only one in a race like this, sprinting on turf. She won a turf sprint last year with an 80 Beyer Figure and the class drop should get her in the mix. (10) COPPER FOX had four wins in succession before she weakened a bit last time after going too fast on the pace. She is 1 for 4 on the turf. (6) WESTLODGE INTRIGUE was re-claimed by Stacey Van Camp last time when this mare ended a long winless streak. She seeks her first win on the turf.
Race 10 – (10) HEART RUSH has lost two photos in two starts since the summer vacation and while she is a bit dicey at the 6 1/2 furlong distance, she has been in the top three in all of her outings on the main track. (5) MYSTERY DAY returns to the Tapeta and perhaps does not care for the grass. She lures Rafael Hernandez who has done well for the Abraham Katryan barn. (2) CHEEKYLICIOUS comes off her maiden win for $7,500 and she had a fast workout time a week ago. Also consider (3) DOUBLE CROSSED in superfectas.
Photo by John Watkins
*
Jennifer Morrison has been a public handicapper for the Toronto Star, Globe & Mail and Daily Racing Form. She is currently a writer for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine, Blood-Horse and Toronto Star and is the simulcast handicapper for Ajax Downs.
More Tips from the Pros