Gierkink's preview: Early, late pick fours pivot on claimer

Several old-timers will take part in the seventh, which rounds out the early pick four and starts the second one. The $10,000 claimer is tricky to handicap, and it might be wise to use a few closers and a couple of front-runners in horizontal wagers. If you’re live heading into the seventh, then spread out wide to start the second pick four.

The venerable 10-year-old Ronaldino (4-1) seeks his 17th victory in this $10,000 claimer over five furlongs, which has been his preferred distance in recent years. The stalker/closer has lots of speed to chase, most notably the favorites Click and Guitar Solo, who will try to win his third in a row from a daunting post 10.

Kissed by a Ghost, a 6-year-old with 10 triumphs in 29 tries, is making his season debut off a series of sharp-looking five-furlong drills on the dirt training track. He has won off a layoff in the past and could do some damage at a fat price.

Promising juveniles in Clarendon Stakes

Seffeara (6-5) should be a key on many tickets in the sixth, the Clarendon Stakes, off an impressive debut in which he broke the 4 1/2-furlong Polytrack record while scoring by nearly 12 lengths under a hand ride. The 82 Beyer Speed Figure he received is 10 points higher than the second-best number in the race, which was earned by Sky Racer (8-5) in his six-length second-out maiden score two weeks ago.

Conquest Typhoon (4-1) has been working up a storm for trainer Mark Casse, who’s no stranger to winning a local 2-year-old stakes with a first-timer. The son of Stormy Atlantic, who cost a whopping $330,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is owned by the powerful Conquest Stable.

‘Bridge’ to carry the grandstand

Two daughters of the late Bold Executive, On Rainbow Bridge and Executive Allure, are among the protagonists in the $125,000 Passing Mood Stakes, a seven-furlong turf sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies.

On Rainbow Bridge (3-1) has been penalized four pounds for winning three stakes and must tote 128 pounds, which might be the most weight carried by any horse here all year. Five weeks ago, she won the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes off an eight-month layoff. She is closely related to the 2004 Passing Mood winner Blonde Executive and might not mind the surface change.

Executive Allure (2-1) is the lone speed on paper and would be tough to catch on a repeat of her victorious season opener in an allowance on the grass. The tail-swisher is being reunited with Eurico Da Silva, who broke her maiden in the Fanfreluche Stakes.

The other contenders are Virreina (8-1) and the Alywow Stakes winner Cristina’s Halo (5-2), who could be poised for a letdown in her sixth start since opening day April 12.

Horse to watch

SEEKING THE BAY
Trainer: Larry Cappuccitti
Last race: July 11, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 3/4

He set fast fractions under apprentice Katy Morrison before giving way late when he dropped from maiden special company to $25,000 while reaching out to a route. That was his first start as a gelding, and he could be on the brink of putting it all together.