Gierkink: Woodbine horses to watch for week of Aug. 21
KING AND HIS COURT
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: Aug. 20, 8th
Finish: 3rd by 1/2
Beyer: 81
The reigning Canadian champion male 2-year-old didn’t have a clear way through the stretch before making a wide bid and then flattening out a bit in the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes. He should be tough on the turn-back to a mile vs. Ontario-sired 3-year-olds in the Sept. 23 Vice Regent Stakes.
DIXIE MOON
Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips
Last race: Aug. 19, 5th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/2
Beyer: 74
According to jockey Eurico da Silva, she ran greenly during her workmanlike debut score going seven furlongs. The long-bodied daughter of Curlin is bred to run long, and could be a factor in 2-year-old filly stakes here this fall.
SINE METU
Trainer: Debra Rombis
Last race: Aug. 19, 4th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 78
He came up empty after being hustled early in the first leg of the Woodbine Turf Endurance Series, and then rebounded nicely at 52-1 when ridden much more patiently in this second leg of the series.