Gierkink's preview: Clement's local stats aren't strong
Clement in Canada
Esteemed New York trainer Christophe Clement had one of the most lucrative days of his career here on Oct. 23, 2005, when he won the $2 million Canadian International with Relaxed Gesture and the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes with Steel Light.
Clement sends out War Correspondent in Sunday’s Grade 2 Autumn, in which he figures to be lower than his 5-1 morning-line quote. War Correspondent, a Kentucky-bred colt by the popular War Front, began his career on synthetics in France, where he graduated at first asking and ran second in an allowance in 2013. He won his only start this year in a one-mile optional claimer on grass at Monmouth Park on Sept. 13, when he earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in his debut for Clement.
War Correspondent, a full brother to Group 1 winner Declaration of War, has worked bullets at Belmont leading up to this engagement. Patrick Husbands has the mount.
Surprisingly, Clement’s recent Woodbine stats are poor. According to DRF Formulator, he has won at just a 4 percent clip here over the past five years, with a return on investment of 21 cents. He is 0 for 13 in graded stakes here during that time.
Clement does possess a 20 percent strike rate with turf/synthetic runners going back five years, with an ROI of $1.80.
Helicopter ships in
It is marathon season at Woodbine, and the Chicago-based veteran Helicopter is the even-money favorite in the third, a $10,000 starter allowance at 1 5/8 miles.
Helicopter scored twice during the summer at Presque Isle Downs, including in a two-mile starter for $16,000 stock. He has a record of 1-2-2 from 7 starts on Woodbine’s Polytrack, where he ran second and seventh in a pair of starters last fall. Quincy Hamilton, who won on him in May at Arlington, will pilot him for high-percentage trainer Larry Rivelli.
If Helicopter goes into a tailspin and doesn’t fire, then the turf expert O Wanderlust (2-1) could prevail. O Wanderlust finished on the outer edges in the restricted Halton Stakes and in a nine-furlong route for $40,000 claimers in his last two outings.
Horses to watch
DR. HARKNESS
Trainer: Norm McKnight
Last race: Nov. 7, 6th
Finish: 2nd by one
Beyer: 69
He duked it out with a longshot through suicidal fractions, and then opened up a clear lead in the stretch before being overhauled late in a $12,500 claimer. The 5-year-old has 2 wins, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds in 7 starts since being claimed for $11,500 in May.
BEHIND THE TIMES
Trainer: Lisa Burry
Last race: Nov. 7, 9th
Finish: 3nd by 6
Beyer: 33
She was shuffled back while in traffic along the inside heading into the far turn, and then rallied belatedly on the outside in a $10,000 maiden claimer. This 4-year-old could break through if she reappears in another fast-paced route.