Gierkink's preview: Marathon Run the speed

Wednesday, Oct. 29, preview

Marathon Run (15-1) possesses a pace advantage in the featured third race, an Ontario-sired allowance for non-winners of two, and it’s just a question of her ability to stay the nine-furlong distance.

Marathon Run’s recent fifth in a turf sprint is a throwout. She ran the race of her life two back in an open, 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Polytrack, setting quick fractions before fading to fourth. The top three finishers all came back to run well, most notably the victorious Lynnessa, who was a fast-closing second in a second-level optional claimer last weekend.

The other protagonists in the headliner are Hurricane Mimi (5-2), Rebel Lioness (6-1), and Cantbeatthestory (3-1).

She’s No Meeny (2-1) is a turf specialist competing on Polytrack.

Jackpot Hi 5 pot building

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover heading into the nightcap is $25,804. What Next (8-1) drew the far-outside post 13 in this bottom $6,250 claimer over seven furlongs and should be a factor on the drop from a tough $10,000 event. David Garcia will ride her again for trainer Ricky Griffith, who captured last Saturday’s River Memories Stakes with Savvy Hester.

With a record of 4-10-6 in 49 starts, Swingwiththering (12-1) is a dependable prospect for the bottom of all exotics. She is winless in 11 outings on the year, but her last two efforts on Polytrack were both good.

Strawberry Scarlet (3-1) and Iron Ring Miss (4-1) are dicey favorites. The former has been erratic, while the latter is riding a two-race win streak on dirt at Fort Erie, a track that has not yielded many live shippers here this fall.

Horse to watch

BRING ON THE BULL
Trainer: Denyse McClachrie
Last race: Oct. 26, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 5
Beyer: 53
He disposed of a rival on the front end before giving way to the two favorites in the stretch when he went long for the first time as a 28-1 outsider. The 2-year-old gelding by Giant Gizmo is bred to be a late bloomer and looks to be coming around.