Gierkink's preview: Firm turf works against River Seven
Labeeb Stakes
The course condition could be important for this one-mile overnight stakes. River Seven (8-5) ran the race of his life in last year’s Labeeb, scoring by 10 lengths over the yielding ground that he prefers. The turf should be firm on Sunday, just like it was on Friday and Saturday, which will not be ideal for River Seven, who is coming off a wide fourth over “good” ground in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. The logical alternatives to him are Excaper and Hampstead Heath.
Excaper (9-5) was supplemented for $2,000 off a closing fourth in last Sunday’s Grade 2 Nearctic. The stretch-out in distance could see him inherit the role of pacemaker, which was the case earlier in the meet, when he won the Grade 2 Connaught Cup and ran second to Grand Arch in the Grade 2 King Edward.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Excaper’s trainer, Ian Black, had a win, a third, and a fourth with three 1-7 day comebackers over the last five years, with a return on investment of $2.40.
Hampstead Heath (4-1) captured his last two starts, the Halton Stakes for graduates of local yearling sales, and a nine-furlong optional claimer over yielding ground Oct. 5. He’s debuting off the $62,500 claim by trainer Pat Parente, who boasts solid recent numbers first-time off the halter switch.
Fanfreluche Stakes
The unbeaten Pohdi Pohdi is a ridiculous 2-5 in the morning line, while competing just 15 days after an easy gate-to-wire win against Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies in the Victorian Queen Stakes. This six-furlong test for Ontario-breds is tougher, and the flashy chestnut could get softened up in a speed duel with Starless Night (12-1) and/or Green Doctor (6-1).
Both of Green Doctor’s victories were going three-quarters, during which she vied for the early lead before drawing away on each occasion. She rated kindly off two others before taking control in the stretch in a recent five-furlong work, and might not need the lead to be effective.
Galina Point (3-1) should be dangerous off her closing 6 3/4-length tally in an open maiden special third-time out Sept. 27. She was subsequently sold to Lexie Lou’s connections, owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse, who has worked her twice leading up the Fanfreluche. Leading rider Patrick Husbands, who had another big day on Saturday, picks up the mount on the daughter of Saffir.
Late pick four
The aforementioned stakes make up half of the late pick four. The other two legs seem competitive at a glance, although Foreign Accent could be a viable single in the 10th, an $8,000 claimer for nonwinners of two. He was recently victorious in a $16,000 maiden sprint over two future winners, most notably Cozy Lead, who beat $20,000 maidens while putting up a 63 Beyer.
Foreign Accent (3-1) has worked two easy half-miles since his graduation, and should have another stalking trip.
The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover for the $10th race is $10,299.
Horse to watch
Ripoff Is There
Trainer: Anthony Husbands
Last race: Oct. 25, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 5 1/4
Off several good works, the unraced 4-year-old was bet down to 2-1 in an $8,000 maiden dash over five furlongs. After getting wiped out at the break and giving the field about a five-length head-start, he closed strongly on the outside to finish just a length out of second.