Gierkink: Inside, speed rules at Woodbine

Friday, May 2, review

Inside and speed horses ruled during the nine-race card. The lone bias buster was Anfield Park, who got away slowly before closing wide from last on her left lead to take the opener, an $8,000 conditioned claimer. Horses who were competitive racing outside included I’m Just Sayin, Erma Lee, Melrose Sky, Diamonds are B F F, and Call Her Karma.

Skye Chernetz, last year’s Sovereign Award-winning apprentice, broke out of a slump by scoring twice on the card, on Hidden Turn ($6.70) in the second and 14-1 shot No Soup for You in the fourth.

The Mark Casse-trained droppers Takeyourbreathaway and Melrose Sky ran one-two in the seventh. Both were both scooped up for $40,000 by Bear Stable and trainer Reade Baker, who hasn’t done much claiming in recent years. It will be interesting to see if Casse counters by claiming a bear from the Baker barn.

Horses to watch

Call Her Karma
Trainer: Ashlee Brnjas
Last race: May 2, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 55
Over an inside-favoring track kind to speed, she made a four-wide bid into contention on the turn before flattening out late after looking the part of a winner in midstretch. She shouldn’t be held off much longer at the Ontario-sired maiden special level.

Melrose Sky
New trainer: Reade Baker
Last race: May 2, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 61
He rallied outside from fifth against the way the track was playing to end up second behind his favored stablemate in a $40,000 conditioned contest. He was claimed from trainer Mark Casse by Bear Stable, which should be able to make some money with the son of Sky Mesa.