Gierkink's preview: Beyer hosts seminar

Beyer in the house

Renowned speed figure and trip handicapper Andy Beyer will host a seminar on the east side of the second floor grandstand beginning at 11 a.m. The focus will be on betting strategy and money management, and he’s scheduled to be on Woodbine’s television coverage to handicap the early pick four with host Jeff Bratt.

It will be interesting to see if Beyer has any inclination to play the Jackpot Hi 5 in the 10th, which has a carryover of $163,811. The contentious seven-furlong maiden special for fillies and mares includes the fast workers Hantaloop, Treasure Forever and Can’t Use Nellie, who are all starting for the first time since the fall for different high-profile trainers.

Another Victoria Stakes conquest?

Trainer Mark Casse entered a pair of Conquest Stable runners in the first juvenile stakes of the meet, the $125,000 Victoria, a five-furlong dash Casse and Conquest won last year with Conquest Whiplash.

Conquest Tsunami and Conquest Typhoon are both costly sons of Stormy Atlantic, a sire who’s had tremendous success at Woodbine. Conquest Tsunami aired in his only start, which came in a maiden special at Keeneland, while Conquest Typhoon is debuting off some sharp drills.

The main threat could come from the Chicago raider Creaky Cricket, who was supplemented for $2,500 by trainer Mike Dini. Creaky Cricket captured a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special over Arlington’s Polytrack by 11 1/2 lengths June 6, when he put up an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.

The champ heads OJC Stakes

The $100,000 Ontario Jockey Club, a six-furlong overnight stakes, went with five after owner/trainer Paul Buttigieg entered reigning Canadian champion sprinter Phil’s Dream and the longshot comebacker True Executive. Massive Explosion, who received a 91 Beyer for winning a recent optional claimer at Presque Isle Downs, was supplemented for $2,000 by trainer Justin Johns.

I prefer Go Blue Or Go Home, who drew ideally on the outside, from where he can track the speed in the clear before making his move. He’s shortening up from seven furlongs to a more suitable distance off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes.

Horses to Watch

AISH TAMID
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: June 20, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 59
The first-time gelding was pressured through lively fractions before giving way grudgingly to the wide-closing second choice in a $20,000 maiden route. It was his first outing in 13 months, and he should break through soon if he remains in good order.