Gierkink's preview: Rain-softened turf course

Turf course softened up

Rainfall early in the week should add some give to the ground in the two turf races. The temporary rail is in lane 3.

Elgin (6-1) shouldn’t mind stretching out in the third, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special for Ontario-sired fillies and mares. Elgin began slowly before closing very wide for fourth when she tried the grass for the first time June 21. She has since worked five-eighths in 1:01.60 over the training track for trainer Reade Baker, who’s looking to end an 0-for-20 slide.

Other contenders include Optimism, I Am Persuaded, Uncommon Good and Paulettes Mystique. Flight Path is bred to be a late bloomer, and could wake up with blinkers on in her second start.

Baker sends out 3-1 morning line favorite Speyside in the fourth, a one-mile combo race for $40,000 non-winners-of-three claimers and non-winners-of-three Ontario-sired allowance stock. Speyside was along for second in an identical event in his first start of the year June 4, which was won by Any Given Royal, who subsequently doubled up in a $40,000 starter allowance (82 Beyer). Speyside can also handle the Poly.

Dupes is a longshot possibility if the race remains on the grass, although his last race on the Polytrack wasn’t bad. That nine-furlong event included third-place finisher Reeves Hill, who probably merits top billing here if there is a surface change. Reeves Hill (4-1) was unplaced in his lone try on turf, a surface for which the son of Bernardini has little breeding.

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover $24,375

Following a mandatory payout on the July 6 Queen’s Plate, the Jackpot Hi 5 carryover has slowly been building back up, and stands at $24,375.

The protagonists in the Jackpot Hi 5 race (8th race), a $10,000 maiden sprint, are a dropping Vinari (5-2) and This Is the Way (3-1), who nearly got the job done in his season opener against $8,000 maidens.

Horses to watch

DIXIE TWIST
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: July 13, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 58
She raced very wide throughout her debut in the Shady Well Stakes, and was steadied heading into the turn before closing strongly in the last furlong. The expensive daughter of Indian Charlie should be better for the experience.