Summer Stakes
- Download- Fukumoto/ DePaulo
- Download is a 2yo colt who won his debut over the grass in his most recent start. He is 20/1 for a reason however. I do not see him being a legitimate contender here at all but he could fill out trifectas or Superfectas. He did not like the synthetic surface at all and he obviously had or has some talent during training because the connections put him in a stakes race after a lackluster debut. Then he came back after a gutting defeat to win going away on turf against maidens. Now they try a Grade 1. Will the flat mile be a good distance for him? I think so but I don’t see this horse being a Grade 1 caliber horse just yet.
- Secret Potion- Hernandez/Brown
- Secret Potion is a 3/1 contender here and is still a maiden. Is he one of the better choices on the Morning Line due to his connections today, probably. However, his debut he lost to American Monarch who is the favorite in this field and fought on with American Monarch without Lasix. He gets Lasix today and cuts back down to a flat mile here. Hernandez is the best jockey North of the Border and should be sending early. Chad Brown is the best turf Trainer in the Country and today he should have this colt ready. 3/1 would be a gift if this horse has talent like the connections expect.
- Ready to Repeat- Contreras/Cox
- Ready To Repeat was looking to win 3 in a row last time out in the Soar Free but came up short to Gretsky the Great who is the ML favorite slightly over American Monarch. He had a troubled trip in that stakes race but came back willingly after he was bumped to maintain 3rd. The extra furlong and a half of distance should benefit him today as he seems to be more of a two turn horse to me. If he can be on the lead by himself then I can see this race being a pretty easy one for him. However, I think a couple horses could pressure him early on and make him tired. I will be using in horizontals.
- Gretzky the Great- Kimura/Casse
- Gretzky the Great is by far my favorite horse in this field. The connections have been absolutely on fire this meet at Woodbine. He should be able to win here and the added distance will only benefit him. Kimura is the best turf jockey in Canada in my opinion so this is a positive angle. He has been working lights out as well.
- American Monarch- Stein/Mott
- American Monarch is another shipper from the US today. He just won at Saratoga and ran down Secret Potion. Justin Stein has probably been the hottest jockey in the past month up north and he gets the mount today for Bill Mott. He had a troubled trip last time out as well and still managed to get up in the final strides. I think the distance is perfect for him but longer could be better. He will be sitting off the lead and that is key here with the amount of early speed on paper here.
- Heat of the Night- Jayne-Wilson/Hamm
- This Gulfstream shipper faced a very average field last time out and won driving which is a good thing to note. The fact this 2yo is already a Gelding is concerning as well. I think this 2yo might be the least talented of the field but it is confusing and interesting that the connections shipped all the way from Florida to Canada with a 2yo for a Grade 1. Will be looking elsewhere.
- Dolder Grand- Husbands/Casse
- Dolder Grand is interesting because its the other Mark Casse in this field. Patrick Husbands is the jockey today like last time but last time was his debut race and he lost to Download who is 20/1. The fact Dolder Grand is 8/1 after losing is confusing and intriguing. I think he will be the wildcard in this race as he has room for improvement and its Mark Casse. If he can sit a better trip he could be closing late. Will use underneath.
TOP PICK:
#4 Gretzky the Great
#2 Secret Potion
#1 Download
The Natalma Stakes
- Stunning Princess- Kimura/Gargan
- She is a maiden who could benefit from the cut back in distance down from a Mile and a 16th to a flat Mile. She seems to be a hanger and has been caught in each of her two starts against much weaker. She is getting Lasix for the first time which could get her home today if she is close down the stretch. She has front running ability and has been working very well since her last start. Maybe lasix is the key change here, and I do like her underneath at a price.
- Seasons- Contreras/Toner
- Contreras gets the mount again for Seasons. She was very green in her debut and ships in from Saratoga. Toner has had a very mediocre season this year and this could be a good one on his hands. She is a very talented filly but I don’t know if she is grade 1 good yet. Today will be the day we find out how good she is but she should be a contender.
- Sleek Lynx- Hernandez/Casse
- Sleek Lynx is a maiden who got caught at GP last time out back in July and has taken time off since to run up north today in this Grade 1 race. I did not like that she lugged in her debut but it could of been just because she was green. Today is a new day and she should be well rested. Will she be good enough to win today? I don’t think so but she will be in contention late.
- Dreaming of Drew- Stein/Minshall
- Dreaming of Drew seems to be better as a sprinter as she was caught by Alda last time out in the Catch a Glimpse. Will she be able to get the distance and compete, probably but it will be tough with Alda in the field as well. Stein will be the 4th jockey this horse has had and probably the best. She is definitely one of the top two contenders in this field. This should be a two horse race and hopefully she will come out on top as she is my top pick.
- Alda- Bahen/Motion
- Alda got a little weary late but got up just in time running down Dreaming of Drew in the Catch a Glimpse stakes. She has been increasing in talent and ability in each start and today should be no different. I think she will be more like 6/5 at the time of the race which is why I want to go against her with Dreaming of Drew. However, she might be the best of this field. I will be using her in all horizontals with Dreaming of Drew.
- Lady Speightspeare- Jayne-Wilson/Attfield
- Lady Speightspeare seems to be outclassed here but her debut was impressive. It will be hard to outrun the two favorites but she could be fighting for a minor award. Emma Jayne-Wilson can get this fillies home when she needs to. She went gate to wire in debut and I doubt she will get that easy of a trip today.
- Big Big Plans- Munoz/Gonzalez
- Big Big Plans crushed Maiden claiming horses and jumps up from bottom tier to top tier today. The connections are average at best and I just don’t see this filly shocking the world here. She just isn’t quick enough or classy enough for me in this field.
TOP PICKS:
#4 Dreaming of Drew
#5 Alda
#1 Stunning Princess