Claim of Reconfigure paying off for Tiller as Turf Sprint Series begins

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A new 3:20 p.m. post time for Thursday racing begins this week at Woodbine, for an eight-race card headed by the opening leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series.

Reconfigure should be favored in the five-furlong starter allowance on the inner course, which is for 3-year-olds and up that started for no more than $25,000 in 2019-20.

Trainer Robert Tiller claimed Reconfigure for $25,000 last July for himself. It was risky acquisition at the time when you consider that the then 7-year-old had been campaigned sporadically, with three wins and a second in just four starts.

In his debut off the claim, Reconfigure captured the final leg of last year’s Woodbine Turf Sprint Series in come-from-behind style. He hasn’t won since while running consistently well and earning more than $100,000 in a series of stakes and optional claimers, including a close second in the Grade 2 Nearctic.

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Reconfigure was fourth in his season opener on the Tapeta. He finished a clear second in another second-level optional claimer most recently on the grass, which was won by pacesetter Real Money.

“That horse ran big in front of him,” Tiller said. “I think he ran a huge race himself. He came out of it good. He’s been wonderful for me. He’s got seconditis. There’s no question about that. He wasn’t really ready to run in his first start back. He’s a far better grass horse. I’m very careful with him. He’s got some issues.”

Luis Contreras will ride Reconfigure again.

There are two confirmed front-runners in the seven-horse field, Salieri and Kitchen Fire.

Salieri wired $25,000 claimers in his second start off the sidelines with a career-high 91 Beyer Speed Figure on July 2 under leading rider Rafael Hernandez, who retains the mount. The turnback from 6 1/2 furlongs means the pace scenario should be more taxing here if Kitchen Fire runs his usual race.

Kitchen Fire had a productive spring stint at Tampa Bay Downs, where he dominated second-level optional-claiming types two back with a 93 Beyer. He was favored in his local bow June 13 in a $20,000 starter on the Tapeta, but came up empty after getting outrun for the early lead.

Hitters Park was bet down to 4-5 in each of the first two legs of the series last year, but only managed to finish third and fifth. After a troubled fifth in the final leg, he was claimed from another dull effort for $25,000 by trainer Marty Drexler, who then sent him out for a narrow loss in an optional starter in his last start Nov. 8.

Western Trouble, who also was competitive in the series last year, is coming off a wide third in his season debut on the Tapeta.