Gierkink's preview: Etobicoke heads up holiday card

Chicago raider Pirate’s Trove (7-5) will try to remain unbeaten in the $100,000 Etobicoke, a six-furlong overnight stakes for 3-year-old fillies. She shipped here July 20 to take the Duchess Stakes from just off the pace by a nose after romping in her debut at Arlington, when she earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

Florent Geroux, who rode Pirate’s Trove in both of her races, predicted after the Duchess that the best is yet to come from the daughter of Speightstown.

“She was looking around a little bit the last eighth,” said Geroux, who has the call on the Mike Stidham trainee again. “I think she’s going to get better and better with each race.”

On Rainbow Bridge (6-1) could run big after a month off, as she cuts back to three-quarters off a closing third in the 1 1/16-mile Eternal Search Stakes. She’s a three-time stakes winner sprinting and has lots of speed to chase here on paper.

Trainer Mark Casse entered the speedy Zensational Bunny (3-1) and Lacarolina (8-1). Patrick Husbands, who won five races Sunday, was named on both fillies, and Lacarolina could threaten in her first start on Polytrack, over which she worked impressively during her summer break.

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover building

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover is $324,389 heading into the ninth and final race. Endogeny (5-2) is the deserving favorite off a fine turf effort, during which he put away the other speed after vying through quick splits before tiring to third.

FORMULATOR FACT: Endogeny’s trainer, Ian Howard, is 2 for 20 (10 percent) with turf/synthetic runners during the past five years, with a $1 return on investment.

Arthur’s Pass (10-1) could make the board for the first time in his second two-turn attempt. He had an extremely wide trip in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special Aug. 8 before ending up fifth after stalking a lively pace.

I Deliver (20-1) is listed as a first-time gelding in the program. If that’s not a mistake, then he’s a wake-up prospect with apprentice Sheena Ryan taking over.

Forest Breeze (6-1), who’s had many chances, is logical for the middle positions of the Jackpot in his first start beyond seven furlongs.

FORMULATOR FACT: Forest Breeze’s trainer, Danny Vella, possesses an 11 percent strike with first-time routers over the last five years with a $1.20 ROI.

Horse to watch

DUPES
Trainer: Kathy Patton
Last race: Aug. 30, 10th
Finish: 2nd by 1/2
Beyer: 78

He gave the favored winner Iroquois Falls all he could handle in this non-winners of three grass route and has improved significantly since going back on the Lasix program this summer.