Gierkink's preview: Trio of turf races
Lane 2 for turf racing
The three grass races on the card are either at six or 12 furlongs. The course will be firm.
Race 3
Sombrero de Copa (3-5) is hard to go past in this 12-furlong starter allowance for horses who have started for no more than $25,000 claiming since the beginning of 2013. The Mark Frostad-trained 4-year-old has won two in a row, most notably a first-allowance over about nine furlongs. He has never competed beyond that distance, but he’s easy to rate for jockey Emma Wilson, and is bred to run all day.
Race 6
Indiano Jones (5-2) should be prominent in this $40,000 conditioned-claiming sprint off a fading sixth going long in a first-level allowance won by the third race favorite, Sombrero de Copa.
Formulator fact: trainer Mark Casse hit with 22 percent of his starters running with claiming tag for the first time over the past five years ($1.73 ROI). The latest was Rei, who prevailed on the grass at this level as the odds-on choice here July 9.
Other contenders include Stevie Loves Women (6-1), Le Vent (4-1), and the Casse-trained Ezzthetic (3-1). Jesse Campbell inherits the mount on Ezzthetic from Casse’s go-to rider, Patrick Husbands, who’s on Indiano Jones.
Race 8
Madcap Duchess is the 9-5 morning line favorite in this weak six-furlong allowance off a charging victory over $50,000 maidens. Viable alternatives include Ginger Swirl (2-1) and front-runner Stormy Fling (4-1). Ginger Swirl, idle since late December, can acquit herself well while fresh, and is taking some turf breeding into her first start on that surface.
Jackpot Hi 5 carryover
The Jackpot Hi carryover is $57,581 heading into the ninth race, a competitive $16,000 maiden claimer over seven furlongs.
Horse to Watch
BEAR’S ROMEO
Trainer: Dale Desruisseaux
Last race: July 23, 8th
Finish: 1st by 1 1/4
Beyer: 50
He dueled through lively fractions before drawing clear in the late stages of a $10,000 maiden sprint, covering six furlongs in 1:10.79. It was his first attempt in the selling ranks, and he was claimed by an owner/trainer who could win right back with him in nonwinners of two company.