Gierkink's preview: $278K carryover in Jackpot Hi 5

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover $278K

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover has continued to build at a steady pace, and is $278,841 heading into the ninth race today. The $12,500 maiden claimer could result in the graduation of 8-5 morning-line favorite Harbour Beach. She’s dropping off a very strong second for $20,000, battling three wide for the lead before putting away the other speed en route to a half-length loss.

If the inside is the place to be, like it was on Wednesday night, then upgrade the chances of two other droppers, Hearing Whispers (4-1) and Kittihawa (9-2). Both drew inside posts in the six-furlong sprint.

Three turf races scheduled

The ground should be firm and lane 4 will be used for the three turf races on the card.

Madcap Duchess (3-1) can rebound off her first lackluster performance in the eighth, a turf sprint for $40,000 non-winners-of-two claimers. Her first two races were solid, including an off-the-pace maiden tally on the grass. She was softened up in a speed duel most recently in a first-level allowance on turf. Leading rider Luis Contreras rides Madcap Duchess for trainer Mike Doyle, who has worked her twice on the grass during the five-week lead-up to this engagement.

Other contenders in the eighth include Shirley Street (9-2) and Big Belief, who’s a low 7-5 on the line for her first start since she lost an April 12 allowance on the Poly by a nose.

In the wide-open fifth race, Cozy Lead (4-1) and Feverish Loot (6-1) are both going from maiden special weight company to meet $50,000 maidens, while switching from Polytrack to turf. Feverish Loot is proven on the grass, while the Pulpit gelding Cozy Lead is nicely bred for the experiment and retains a hot David Moran, who won two stakes here Wednesday.

Horses to Watch

ETHICAL FUNDS

Trainer: Nathan Squires
Last race: Aug. 27, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 3/4
Beyer: 52
This maiden ran an odd race second time out in the 6 1/2-furlong Simcoe Stakes. After dueling up front between rivals on the backstretch, he dropped back to sixth on the turn, and then re-rallied on the outside over an inside-favoring track.