Gierkink's preview: Low-level claimers key to Jackpot Hi 5 carryover

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover $482,197

Low-level conditioned claimers will line up in the finale, and the massive carryover for the Jackpot Hi 5 should live for another day if one of the two droppers from Ontario-sired company prevails.

Craigie Hill (3-1) was claimed from a narrow loss for $12,500 by trainer Scott Fairlie in early July. Her first Ontario-sired allowance effort was an encouraging fourth, but she was beaten 10 lengths most recently after having a fast pace to chase.

Empressina (4-1) was a fringe player in allowance company last year, while going shareless in five starts. Her season opener in a $40,000 claimer on the grass July 13 was forgettable, and she’s taking the plunge off a double-digit loss on the Poly in her first try for trainer Mike DePaulo. Patrick Husbands, who picks up the mount, has had lots of success for DePaulo since the beginning of 2013.

Emma’s Love (6-1) is a prospect for the middle rungs of the exotics, even though she’s questionable over the 1 1/16-mile distance. She placed in each of her three seven-furlong outings during the summer, all under Justin Stein.

Two turf races scheduled

The turf should be firm after a few days without any rain.

The featured eighth, a second-level optional claimer, is the best race on the card. The seven-furlong sprint could be dominated by Bigstormbrewin’, who led throughout July 19 in his last out in a similar sprint, which contained the future stakes winner Calgary Cat.

Bigstormstormbrewin’ (3-1) has worked two bullets from the gate leading up to this race. Trainer Don MacRae entered him with a $60,000 tag.

Golden Sabre (5-2) would prefer more ground but could rally for a share in his second start after a layoff.

Stacked Deck (20-1) defeated 3-year-olds July 5 in the open Charlie Barley Stakes, but a subsequent outing against older allowance opposition wasn’t anything to write home about. His trainer, Barb Minshall, sent out Bambarra Bold for an impressive allowance tally Wednesday night.

After struggling through the first half of the meet, Courtville (4-1) got back in the groove with a victory in a $50,000 starter allowance Aug. 8. He competed in the restricted Halton Stakes for the second year in a row Aug. 27 and did OK to finish third after making an early bid for the lead in the stretch.

May and Bens Song (5-2) probably deserves top billing in the other grass event, the third, a $50,000 maiden-claiming sprint. If he breaks sharply from post 1, he could be long gone under leading rider Husbands.

Horse to watch

WINGHAM
Trainer: Rachel Halden
Last race: Sept. 17, 8th
Finish: 4th by 4 1/4
Beyer: 46

She gave the others a five-length head-start before closing along the rail on her left lead and galloped out on top when she debuted in a two-turn Ontario-sired maiden special. The 3-year-old filly by Queen’s Plate winner Niigon should be much better for the experience.