Gierkink's preview: Multiple contenders in River Memories
River Memories Stakes
One could go several different ways in this overnight stakes for fillies and mares, which will be run in lane 2, over a turf course which was firm on Friday.
Surtsey (2-1) is the one to fear most off her come-from-behind win in the seven-furlong Avowal Stakes Sept. 20. Her only poor performance this year was a 20-length loss in a dirt stakes at Mountaineer that was taken off turf. Luis Contreras will ride her again for trainer Kevin Attard, and they are a combined 7 for 26 at the meet.
Dance Again (3-1) is dropping out of the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes, in which she finished fifth behind eventual Grade 1 E.P. Taylor third-place finisher Deceptive Vision and La Tia, who returned to take the Grade 3 Athenia at Belmont. A mile on this roomy course should be right up her alley.
Joy (8-1) had a wide journey before ending up 13th in an open Sept. 27 stakes at Laurel, where she was a much better third in a restricted stakes Sept. 6.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Joy’s Maryland-based trainer, Graham Motion, is 0 for 4 in non-graded stakes at Woodbine during the past five years—two of those runners were second, and one finished third.
Silent Star (8-1) has maintained good form throughout the meet, the highlight of which was her upset score over Strut the Course in the restricted Victoriana Stakes on grass July 30.
Maple Leaf nominees populate the ninth
Aunt Els, Cry War Eagle, and Chedington, who are all nominated to next Saturday’s Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes, are in the ninth race.
The abundance of speed in the second-level optional claimer could set the table for the quirky Lynnessa (10-1), who never challenged during a wide trip in the restricted Classy ‘n Smart Stakes on Sept. 28. She was competing on short rest that day off a first-level allowance triumph, and has had a month off heading into this engagement. Regular rider Tommy Wong will get a leg up on her from trainer Ron Sadler.
Eurico Da Silva is not riding this weekend due to a suspension. Jim McAleney is riding the closing-day Saturday card at Northlands Park, and will be back in action here Sunday.
Jim Mazur, the president of Progressive Handicapping Inc., will host a Breeders’ Cup preview at the east end of the second floor at Woodbine beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Free “Crushing Zone” handicapping guides will be handed out at the seminar