Gierkink’s preview: Shippers galore on Wednesday card

Effective this week until the end of the meet on Dec. 7, Woodbine is offering $1,000 to owners for each ship-in starter in allowance races. Eligible horses must be stabled and trained outside of Ontario.

It’s too bad that the many claimers coming into town are not eligible for any shipping money, but that won’t stop some from venturing north of the border with a synthetic-track runner. In Wednesday’s third race, trainer Dorothy Gentner entered Uncle Carm (8-1) and Mr. Honey Badger (12-1) in the $8,000 claimer. Both have been running on the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs, a meet that concluded Sept. 25. Off their Beyer Speed Figures, they have a shot in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, although Presque Isle shippers have not excelled here in recent years.

The Fort Erie meet ended last week, and there are two third-race entrants who are exiting a dirt win there in $4,000 company – Clever King (6-1) and Rumbling Rocket (20-1). Beware of Fort Erie invaders exiting big-Beyer wins, because such form doesn’t usually translate over to Woodbine’s Polytrack.

Jackpot Hi 5 carryover at $82,776

Cozy Lead is the logical 5-2 morning-line choice in the eighth, first time off the claim by trainer Jamie Attard, who’s had a solid meet. He raced wide throughout while closing for second as the favorite when he dipped into the selling ranks for the first time Sept. 21 and might welcome the move out from six to seven furlongs.

There are some longtime maidens in the $20,000 contest who should be used underneath in the Jackpot Hi 5 – Imperatore, Countryman, and the entry of Danny Ocean and Quiet Break. Dancinwithdunkirk (20-1) also merits consideration first time off a layoff and a claim by owner/trainer Nick DeToro.

Horse to watch

PENGALLY BAY
Trainer: Roger Attfield
Last race: Oct. 5, 5th
Finish: 3rd by 3
Beyer: 54
After racing in 10th on the backstretch over a yielding turf course, she closed steadily on the outside in the stretch of a seven-furlong maiden special. It was the first start for the nicely-bred 2-year-old filly by Pulpit, and she seems to have some potential.