Campbell: How I'd play Woodbine on Sunday, Sept. 14

Sunday’s card at Woodbine is headlined by the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile, but overall, it presents plenty of wagering opportunities for horseplayers with two guaranteed pick four pools and the Jackpot Hi 5 wager, which could have a significant carryover heading into Sunday.

A total of 118 horses have been entered across the 11-race program, an average of 10.7 per race, and no race has fewer than eight horses before scratches.

The three graded stakes races are the only races carded for the grass Sunday, which has taken significant rainfall since Wednesday and likely will play on the good or soft side like it did Saturday.

In the opener, I’ll take a long look at #2 Denim Bay (7-2), who’s returning after more than a year off but shows some sharp works coming into this event. Trainer Paul Buttigieg has good numbers over the past three years with horses returning off of 180-day layoffs or longer, having won 26 percent of 27 starts for a return on investment of $2.20, according to DRF Formulator. Notorious bridesmaids Warbred and Spin the King figure to get plenty of play, which could drive Denim Bay’s price up come post time.

The next four races on the card are all maiden special weight events, including a couple for 2-year olds. #1 Internal Bourbon (8-5) looks to be a potential key horse in the third as she drops back in Ontario-sired company after taking on Don’t Leave Me in the Natalma Stakes prep as a maiden. #15 Weekend in Malibu could warrant consideration if she draws in off of the also eligible list.

The fourth race starts the first of two guaranteed pool pick fours of the day, but I’m going to save my money for the bigger pool later on in the card. #11 El Ceebeo (5-2) drew a wide post for the second straight start but does look to be a strong factor in this field as he adds blinkers for trainer Nicholas Gonzalez.

The sixth, the Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes, is the first graded stakes race of the afternoon and also is the first race on the turf course. #1 The Pizza Man (2-1) looks to be the pace presence in here and also has good results racing on softer turf courses, which adds to the appeal given the recent weather conditions. #9 Perfect Timber (10-1) lost the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes by the slimmest of margins earlier this year and also was a close second in this race last year. He could be an interesting longshot play as jockey John Velazquez gets back aboard after riding Perfect Timber in the Northern Dancer last year.

The eighth race kicks off the $200,000-guaranteed late pick four, and there are a lot of different ways to go in here. I’ll use #8 Battle for Gold, #11 Lions Bay, and #13 Jagger M, who takes a drop in class. #11 Lions Bay makes his first start off of a freshening, having run in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, and could be worth a play at a price. Six of the 15 starters from the Queen’s Plate have come back to win their first or second starts since the Plate, including four in stakes races. #3 D’s Perfect Soul (8-1) could add some extra insurance in the sequence as he drops in class and switches back to the Polytrack.

The ninth is the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes, in which a lot of attention likely will be on the Queen’s Plate winner #2 Lexie Lou (3-1). But she’s vulnerable in this spot facing older horses for the first time and also making just her second start outside of restricted company. #10 Solid Appeal (5-2) is proven on this turf course and comes into this race off of a close finish in the Grade 1 Diana. #3 Deceptive Vision (7-2) also is a must-use in the pick four. Watch for her to be taken off the pace by jockey Eurico Da Silva. Lexie Lou can be used in alternate tickets with #9 Industrial Policy, who was just a length away from winning the Dance Smartly back in July.

In the 10th, #7 I’m Just Sayin (7-2) seems to have turned a corner this season and just missed at this classification last time out. She should be forwardly placed but will need to hold off the closers. #1a Diamonds Are B F F returns to the Polytrack for the first time since her impressive maiden victory in May. She’ll cut back to a sprint after tiring in a route try on the grass, and trainer Buttigieg has good numbers on the turn back. #2 Virreina (3-1) and #6 No Soup for You (12-1) could be used as alternates.

Finally, in the Woodbine Mile, #5 Kaigun (5-2) closed into a quick pace to earn a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure in the Grade 2 Play the King over seven furlongs last time. He should be able to repeat that effort with plenty of speed to run at. #11 Grand Arch (4-1) and #9 Jack Milton (7-2), the second- and third-place finishers from the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga in August, also will make it onto my main ticket. #7 Lockout (10-1) and #10 His Race to Win (15-1) are longshot prospects to consider.

The ticket

Race 8
A – 8, 11, 13
B – 3

Race 9
A – 3, 10
B – 2, 9

Race 10
A – 7, 1, 1a
B – 2, 6

Race 11
A – 5, 9, 11
B – 7, 10