Gierkink's preview: Pivotal seventh race

Saturday, Aug. 9, preview

The seventh race concludes the early pick four and kicks off the late one. The turf should be firm, and lane 3 will be used for the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for $40,000 claimers.

The entry of Sky High Class and Audreys Choice were both entered back Sunday. The dropper Floral Sky is the deserving 8-5 favorite, but she has plied her trade over route distances, and a cutback in distance isn’t ideal in a field without much speed for her to chase.

FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Mark Casse has a 22 percent strike rate with horses competing with a claiming tag for the first time during the past five years, with a return on investment of $1.72. Two of those winners came on the turf here recently – Rei and Indiano Jones.

Mistress Gallop (4-1) and Big Brown Brookski (3-1) are the other main protagonists.

Ontario Debutante Stakes

Unhindered (9-5) and Starless Night (3-1) are both unbeaten stakes winners with speed, and it looks like they could link up on the front end in a suicidal pace battle in this six-furlong stakes. However, Starless Night’s outside draw could lead to a stalking trip, a style which is in her repertoire, according to trainer Nick Gonzalez.

If a speed duel materializes, the table could be set for Dixie Twist (6-1), who came flying late for second in the 5 1/2-furlong Shady Well Stakes after going six wide on the turn in her debut. According to Trakus, she ran 48 feet farther than the victorious Starless Night.

Other closers with a chance include the Chicago shipper Happy to Go (8-1) and Sweet Dreams (2-1).

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover building

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover is $149,470 heading into the 10th race, in which a 14-horse field of $50,000 maidens is set to line up going 1 1/16 miles on grass.

Off a stalking second at this level, Simply Classic probably won’t be as high as his 6-1 morning-line quote. The lightly raced son of Sky Classic is stretching out while retaining Eurico Rosa Da Silva, who’s an impressive 10 for 28 at the meet when riding for the powerful Malcolm Pierce barn.

Broken Diplomacy (8-1) is another third-time starter with some upside. He’s adding Lasix, and Gerry Olguin inherits the mount from David Moran, who’s riding Grand Arch in a Saratoga stakes for trainer Brian Lynch.

Horse to Watch

SPOT A KISS
Trainer: Mike De Paulo
Last race: Aug. 8, 2nd
Finish: 6th by 8 1/2
The second-time starter was bet down to favoritism in a $16,000 maiden route, in which he made a premature, wide bid to the lead on the far turn before coming up empty in the final furlong. He was claimed by a trainer with excellent stats first time off the halter switch and should rebound on the turnback.