Campbell: Pick four play for Woodbine on Saturday, Sept. 13

Saturday’s $100,000-guaranteed early pick four at Woodbine offers a challenging sequence for horseplayers, with two graded stakes that feature full fields. The sequence kicks off with the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes, a wide-open affair that drew 11 entries, and also includes the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes on the grass, which drew a field of 12. The condition of the turf course come Saturday will be of interest as heavy rains in the Toronto area on Wednesday night and more rain in the forecast for Saturday could soften the course considerably.

Race 4
The Bold Venture has plenty of early speed for the closers to run at. No. 2 Calgary Cat has strong form this year coming from off of the pace in allowance conditions, although his better speed figures have come on the turf. No. 8 Alpha Bettor has been known more for his routing abilities than sprinting, but he did win a seven-furlong sprint easily back in July and may have had a better result in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup last time if he had room to run in the stretch. No. 10 Really Sharp also merits consideration as he cuts back to a sprint and he did win the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes over seven furlongs earlier this season. No. 11 Sensational Slam and No. 1 Bear No Joke could be used in lesser tickets.

A: 2, 8, 10
B: 1, 11

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Race 5
No. 3 Runaway Pepper was a dominant winner at this condition two starts back and should improve off of his latest moving back to the Polytrack. No. 10 Steel Dust Dancer gets class relief in this spot and was a 7 3/4-length winner when he ran for $12,500 over seven furlongs earlier this season. These two should help me get through this leg and keep the cost of my ticket down, although No. 5 Artefacto could be worth a look as he stretches out to seven furlongs.

A: 3, 10
B: 5

Race 6
A stat to consider when handicapping the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes is that 4 of the last 5 and 6 of the last 9 winners of the race had made a start over the Woodbine turf course prior to the Natalma. No. 4 Don’t Leave Me is 2 for 2 lifetime and won the prep for this event on the turf on Aug 22. No. 12 Reserved was beaten just a head by Don’t Leave Me in her career debut Aug. 2 and dominated in her next start on the Woodbine turf. No. 10 Isabella Sings ships in for trainer Todd Pletcher, but she could be softened up with other early speed signed on. No. 9 Dixie Twist also should be considered after winning the Ontario Debutante Stakes on Polytrack last time. No. 5 Roaming and No. 7 Conquest Harlanate are fillies that could offer value in alternate tickets.

A: 4, 9, 10, 12
B: 5, 7

Race 7
No. 2 Paulettes Mystique appears to be the stand out in this Ontario-sired maiden special weight event to close out the sequence and will likely be the one to chase. No. 8 Ring for Maddie was cut off by a rival early in her last start, but did run well in the late going to be third. No. 7 Clarkston Hope could improve off of her career debut and may be an alternative for those looking for extra coverage.

A: 2
B: 7, 8