Focus on Not So Swift in closing-night Jackpot Pick 5 at Assiniboia
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The 20-cent minimum Jackpot Pick 5 begins in the fourth race on closing night of the meet on Wednesday in a six-furlong event for $3,000 claimers. It can be pared down to the two droppers from $7,500 in the six-horse field — Not So Swift and Blue Spirit.
Not So Swift is preferred off her wide, closing third over a speed-favoring track Sept. 30, when she defeated Blue Spirit after the latter had prompted the pace on the rail before fading to fourth.
Not So Swift has been a model of consistency throughout the meet for trainer Tiffany Husbands, who went 3 for 8 with 1-to-7 day comebackers over the past five years, with a return on investment of $3.38. Blue Spirit has tailed off since peaking early in the meet but retains second-leading rider Khelawan, who has solid numbers for trainer Jared Brown.
The fifth for $5,000 non-winners of four claimers is headed by Hey Big Un and Call the Cavalry, who’s a skimpy 3-5 on the morning line.
After getting claimed by trainer Tom Gardipy Jr. Aug. 25, Hey Big Un placed in back-to-back $7,500 sprints going the six-furlong distance of this race. He should be forwardly placed in a field without an abundance of speed. Call the Cavalry was knocking on the door against $10,000 company before a surprisingly poor showing at that price Sept. 22. Going back five years, trainer Craig Smith scored at a 21 percent clip with horses dropping at least 50 percent in value, with an ROI of $2.06.
She’s My Niece seeks her fourth win in a row in the sixth, a 7 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer around two turns. Her tactical speed is one of her most effective weapons and she can extend her winning streak under leading rider Antonio Whitehall.
Stretch-runner Midnight Lady brings declining stakes form to this engagement and could be over the top. Morning-line favorite Bartender trailed last out in the nine-furlong Manitoba Matron Stakes. At this stage of her career, 7 1/2 furlongs might be too short for her.
Jacks Spring Break merits top billing in the seventh, a 7 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer with a field of eight. He earned Beyer Speed Figures in the 70s in each of his last three outings, which included a win at this level and distance two back with a career-high 78 Beyer under Khelawan.
Makena’s Joy got a 75 Beyer last time in a $10,000 claimer, winning with a wide rally, and should be the main threat to Jacks Spring Break. There is speed for him to close into under Whitehall, who inherits the mount from Khelawan.
The eighth, a $4,000 sprint, includes Valley Victory, Mr. Dazzle, and Tiz Romantic, who filled out the top three positions when they all clashed while carrying a $5,500 tag Sept. 23. Valley Victory’s trainer, Carl Anderson, is just 1 for 20 second-time off a claim during the last five years.
Morning line favorite Fleet of Hoof is plunging from a $7,500 claimer where he attended a lively pace before fading to fourth. The pace scenario should be less demanding in this spot and he could wire the field in his first try off a trainer change.
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