Gierkink's preview: Turf races and apprentice challenge
Wednesday, Aug. 20, preview
Two turf races scheduled
The second and third races are both scheduled for seven furlongs in lane 2 on the grass. There is rain in the forecast for Wednesday, but it would probably take significant rainfall for those events to be moved to the Polytrack.
The third race, with a 14-horse field of Ontario-sired maidens, is particularly challenging. The debuting Gambolino is no bargain at 3-1 on the morning line, but the Brian Lynch-trained 3-year-old possesses an excellent grass pedigree. By Sligo Bay, the sire of Lexie Lou, Gambolino is a half-brother to turf stakes winners Jacally and Dene Court. Red-hot leading rider Luis Contreras has the call from a wide post.
FORMULATOR FACT: Lynch is 2 for 18 (11 percent) with first-time starters in turf sprints during the past five years, with a return on investment of $2.62.
Apprentice jockey challenge
The fourth and fifth races make up the Canadian Apprentice Invitational, a two-race jockey challenge. Ten bug riders from across the continent will compete, including leading Woodbine apprentice Sheena Ryan and Santo Sanjur, the fourth-leading rider at Arlington. The winner will be determined through a points system.
Off the quality of their mounts, the following is my betting line for each rider, along with where they have recently plied their trade:
Erika Smilovsky: 5-2, Ontario
Sheena Ryan: 3-1, Ontario
Silvia Zapico: 4-1, Arlington
Santo Sanjur: 9-2, Arlington
Damario Bynoe: 8-1, Northlands
Octavio Vergara Jr.: 10-1, Indiana
Nick Webb: 10-1, Ontario
Laura Carson: 10-1, Parx and Delaware
Katy Morrison: 15-1, Ontario
Corrine Andros: 15-1, Hastings
Horse to watch
NIIGON EXPRESS
Trainer: Paul Attard
Last race: Aug. 17, 9th
Finish: 6th by 4
Beyer: 73
He was stuck in traffic along the inside in the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes before making up some ground in the final furlong in his turf debut. The son of Niigon was previously fifth in the Queen’s Plate and should be tough to beat if he resurfaces in Ontario-sired allowance company on turf or Polytrack.