Gierkink's preview: Contreras and Husbands resume battle

When the top jockeys have reasons to work hard during the waning days of a meet when the weather is cold and the races are generally cheap, then one should closely scrutinize all their mounts. The battle for leading rider is being hotly contested between Luis Contreras and Patrick Husbands, and it might not be decided until closing day, Dec. 7.

Contreras led the standings through early September, before being overtaken by Husbands, but after recording a five-bagger last Sunday, Contreras is back on top by a 151-150 margin over Husbands, who’s had 221 fewer mounts than Contreras’s 812.
Both have live mounts on Wednesday’s eight-race card.

In the featured opener, Husbands will pilot 9-5 favorite Ritzy Lass in the first-level allowance for 2-year-old fillies. The Mark Casse-trained Ritzy Lass has worked well since finishing a distant sixth after flashing speed in the Oct. 11 Victorian Queen Stakes, and should redeem herself.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Casse and Husbands, the most successful trainer-jockey duo here in recent years, have combined to win at a 30 percent clip with 2-year-olds over the past five years, with a return on investment of $1.77.

Contreras has the mount on Mel’s Ring (4-1), who’s had a break since coming up empty in the Aug. 27 Muskoka Stakes. Ritzy Lass and Mel’s Ring could link up on the lead, or Ritzy Lass might assume an early outside stalking position in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint before taking on Mel’s Ring.

Contreras won’t face Husbands in the second and third races, unless Husbands picks up something late. Contreras could take the second on That’s the Gaff (5-2), and he’s in with a chance in the third aboard the dropping Cane Bourbon (9-2).

Between the two, Husbands has the best mount in the fourth, Mon Ami Gaby (3-1), who is more likely to end up second or third than first.

Contreras rides Blue Waters (5-1) in the fourth and an outsider in the fifth, Simply Smart (15-1). Nocryinginbaseball (4-1) should give him a big chance in the sixth, since she’s coming off a close second to the next-out winner Chella.

In the seventh, Contreras inherits the mount on Colleen’s Sailor (5-2) from Husbands, who’s sticking with the 8-1 shot Autobahn Legend. Colleen’s Sailor is stepping up off a sharp closing score over $32,000 opposition in the $50,000 claimer, while Autobahn Legend had a setback after his productive summer campaign, and is returning from a short layoff after working three times. There is speed for them to run at.

Contreras is stuck on the also-eligible list in the eighth with Hennessy Dave (7-2), who probably should have won his last outing, which came against $8,000 maidens. Husbands is named on Markeska (10-1), who figures to have a very wide trip after breaking from post 14 in the six-furlong event for $10,000 maidens.

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover heading into the eighth is $14,732.

Horses to watch

DANCING ON FIRE
Trainer: Mike DePaulo
Last race: Nov. 8, 3rd
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 55

She was bet down to 3-1 first time out in an open five-furlong maiden special for juvenile fillies, and awaited room on the turn and in the stretch before surging late. The daughter of Philanthropist is eligible for easier Ontario-sired maiden special company, and could prevail second time out.