Analyzing Woodbine's early pick 3

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Handicappers who are conscious of track bias had to be on their toes last Thursday at Woodbine, when the majority of the winners came from the inside part of the track. It was a stark contrast from the previous night, when a strong outside bias existed on the quirky Polytrack.

The first three races on this Thursday's card are all maiden events on Polytrack, and handicappers should cover several bases in the early pick three, in case a bias exits.

In the opener, a six-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up, Monashee Dancer and Child O'Mine look best of those who have run.

Monashee Dancer was bet down to 5-2 in his debut May 30, and ended up stalking front-runner Smokey Dancer from a wide position on the turn. He weakened to finish a well-beaten fourth, as Smokey Fire blew away the field in a rapid clocking. Monashee Dancer should be better for the experience.

Child O'Mine was a fading seventh when he debuted in a five-furlong dash April 11, in which Dublin Lane broke the five-furlong track record. Most recently, in another fast sprint, he raced wide over an inside-biased track and wound up a distant fourth.

Child O'Mine worked three-eighths in a sizzling 33.80 seconds over the training track last Saturday.

First-timers who could have a say in the outcome of the first race are Signature Red, who drew the inside post, and You Don't Pass, who begins from the outside in the six-horse field.

Always Wildcatin' is the one to beat in the second race, a 4 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-olds.

Always Wildcatin', trained by Steve Asmussen, was beaten a nose by stablemate Elated Moon the only time he saw action, which came in a two-furlong race April 26. He will receive Lasix for this race.

First-timer Essence Hit Man could make some noise with a clean break from post 1. He worked a half-mile in a bullet 47.80 from the gate June 4 for trainer Audre Cappuccitti.

Ontario-sired 2-year-olds will go 4 1/2 furlongs in the third race. First-timers Grittani (post 2) and Victory Launch (post 11) have both flashed speed in the morning.