Carryover of $158K fattens pot

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The biggest pick seven carryover of the Woodbine meeting, $158,023, will certainly spruce up Wednesday evening's eight-race card.

The featured seventh race, a six-furlong allowance, is the sixth leg of the pick seven. The likely favorite, Woodland, is no cinch to get the job done.

Woodland nearly captured an identical first-level allowance in his next-to-last outing, when he finished a neck behind L'Argent, who returned to win a competitive $62,500 allowance/optional claimer.

Earlier this month in a seven-furlong allowance, Woodland set quick fractions on an uncontested lead before fading to third. The winner, Regal Valley, returned to finish a half-length back of L'Argent in the $62,500 event.

Woodland, trained by Reade Baker, worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 seconds last Saturday. Jim McAleney retains the mount.

The main threat could come from Neil the Knife, who stalked the pace on the outside before weakening to end up fifth behind L'Argent, Woodland, and Regal Valley on Oct. 22.

Trainer Bob Tiller has spaced Neil the Knife's races out nicely since the spring, and the gelding has won two Ontario-sired allowances during that time, including one on the Polytrack.

There's a plethora of speed in the second race, which is the opening leg of the pick seven. The six-furlong dash for $16,000 claimers could set up for a closer, such as Just Fine or One for Nicky.

The third, a maiden special for Ontario-sired stock, contains several professional maidens, who are probably best used underneath in exotic wagers. Second-time starter Calina, a full sister to stakes-placed Kabul, could improve significantly in her first try with Lasix.

Class droppers Queenly Luck and Free and Even will attract attention in the fourth, but C'Mon Sweetheart should be tough in her second start off the claim by Abraham Katryan, one of Woodbine's hottest trainers.

The fifth is a wide-open $20,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies. Zip n' Zap has the best form in the large field, but she has had many chances and cannot be singled with confidence. First-time starters Fabulous Gem and Julie Grey are worth considering.

The obvious contenders in the sixth, a $10,000 conditioned claimer, are Dutch Beauty and Prague. Royal Mischief could be dangerous as the lone speed, with leading rider Emma Wilson taking over.

Highland Jewel and Spicey Dish could dominate in the eighth, a $10,000 maiden claimer for fillies and mares.