Gierkink's preview: Beware of Man Cave in Vice Regent
Vice Regent Stakes
Man Cave (6-1) could be the main threat to the deserving 2-1 favorite, Spadina Road, in this one-mile turf race for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds. Man Cave recently found a home on the local turf, where he won an Ontario-sired allowance, before finishing a wide third in an open first-level allowance won by stakes-placed Speightsland. Runner-up Best Bard exited the latter race to crush a good allowance field by 5 1/2 lengths, while earning a 90 Beyer.
The speedy Flashy Margaritta (5-2) is vulnerable in his first try behind seven furlongs, even though he’s shedding seven pounds off the 128 he carried when sixth in the July 23 Deputy Minister Stakes. He barely held off current rival Spin the King (4-1) while capturing his lone grass outing in the six-furlong Bold Ruckus Stakes in June.
Too Many Egbert’s (8-1) and Sizzling (20-1) were supplemented at a cost of $2,500 apiece. Too Many Egbert’s, who’s by the stakes-winning turf miler Laura’s Lucky Boy, is stretching out off a nose win in a six-furlong allowance. He wound up fourth in the Bold Ruckus, and hot turf rider David Moran retains the mount for trainer Paul Buttigieg.
Jackpot Hi 5 carryover $290,749 in the 10th
Dupes is my live longshot in this nine-furlong turf route, which combines $40,000 nonwinners of three claimers with nonwinners of three Ontario-sired allowance stock. Lane 4 will be used on what should be firm ground.
Dupes (6-1) has been a fringe player throughout the meet, which included several decent efforts at this level. He went on Lasix when third in a recent $32,000 claimer, and could improve some more in his second start on the diuretic. Emma-Jayne Wilson seems like a good fit for the 5-year-old gelding.
The entry of Iroquois Falls and main track only runner Niigon’s Glory is 3-1. Iroquois Falls rallied inside to beat non-winners of two Ontario-sired allowance types going a mile in his latest, and shouldn’t mind another furlong to work with. Patrick Husbands will ride the Paul Attard-trained runner again.
The Jackpot Hi 5 has a mandatory payout at Mohawk (harness) in the 12th race on Saturday, with a carryover of $647,331.