Gierkink's preview: Seagram Cup, Nandi highlight card
Mel’s Ring tries to hold off closers in Nandi Stakes
Mel’s Ring (8-5) should be the main speed in this six-furlong dash for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies. Can she hold off all comers after leading along the inside, while going a distance which might push her to the limit?
Still Single (8-1) closed four-wide to beat Mel’s Ring while graduating at first asking, but finished a well-beaten sixth after a five-wide trip on the turn most recently in the restricted Shady Well Stakes.
Quidi Vidi (4-1) is the most promising maiden in the lineup. After closing from left field for second in her 4 ½ -furlong opener, she rallied for second in a five-furlong maiden special behind Starless Night, who came back to take the Shady Well Stakes. Moving out to six furlongs should be to her benefit.
Alpha Bettor vs. Sky Captain in Seagram Cup
This fine edition of the Grade 3 Seagram Cup pits reigning Canadian champion older male runner Alpha Bettor against the upwardly mobile Sky Captain.
Alpha Bettor (8-5) won last year’s Seagram over Ultimate Destiny, and has only run one clunker since then, in the Presque Isle Mile. He successfully cut back to seven furlongs in an open allowance July 6, scoring comfortably over Pender Harbour and Ultimate Destiny after a stalking trip on a track which aided speed. In a field without a confirmed front-runner, he could lead the way under Justin Stein.
Sky Captain (2-1) found the mark for the third time in a row last out when he upset shipper Frac Daddy going 1 ¼ miles in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes. The Mark Casse-trained 4-year-old Sky Captain has since worked well, and seems ready for another peak performance in this 1 1/16-mile test.
Pender Harbour (3-1) ran against the bias in the aforementioned fast-paced allowance July 6, when he wound up a clear second. His recent Beyer Speed Figures are slightly higher than those earned by Sky Captain, but they fall short of the 99 Beyer which Alpha Bettor got in his recent triumph.
Ultimate Destiny (8-1) was supplemented for $3,000 by owner/trainer Alec Fehr. The steady 5-year-old, who is winless this year, looks to be a fringe player.
Odds and ends
The turf races could be moved to Polytrack for the second straight day if there’s any more precipitation on top of Friday afternoon’s heavy rainfall.
The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover heading into the nightcap is $112,772. Just Let Loose (7-2) should be prominent in the Ontario-sired maiden special, even if it’s taken off the turf. Logical prospects for the bottom of exotics include Elgin (2-1) and Ginger Beer (6-1)
Horses to watch
RESERVED
Trainer: Ashlee Brnjas
Last race: Aug. 2, 6th
Finish: 2nd by head
After awaiting room on the turn, she rallied inside to lose a nail-bitter to the favorite, and both 2-year-old fillies galloped out strongly after the six-furlong maiden special. The homebred by top turf sire Kitten’s Joy appears to have a bright future.