Gierkink's preview: Zazinga may be vulnerable favorite
Carotene Stakes heads holiday Monday card
One could make a case for several of the eight entrants in the $150,000 Carotene, a nine-furlong turf stakes for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies. However, the speedy Zazinga (2-1) seems vulnerable at the distance, while competing on fairly short rest off a gate-to-wire score in the one-mile La Prevoyante Stakes.
Zazinga was supplemented for $3,000, as was Regal Conqueror (5-2), who was a chalky second in the Sept. 27 La Prevoyante. Regal Conqueror might find the nine furlongs within her range, but she seems past the peak form that she displayed while capturing the July 19 Ontario Damsel Stakes.
The Graham Motion-trained Final Redemption (7-2) ships in from Maryland off a flat fourth over soft turf in the Grade 3 Pucker Up at Arlington. A stalking trip should serve her well in this spot, under leading stakes rider Patrick Husbands.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Motion is 0 for 3 in non-graded Woodbine stakes over the past five years (two of those runners hit the board). His overall record at Woodbine during that time was 2 for 22 (9 percent), for a return on investment of 68 cents.
Finn’s Jewel (6-1) graduated over a modest field of maidens with a 79 Beyer last time out in her turf debut Aug. 24. The Sam-Son Farm homebred by Giant’s Causeway is out of Canadian Oaks winner Catch the Ring, who has been a decent producer.
Grade 2 Natalma Stakes winner Llanarmon (8-1) has been a disappointment this year, but is a candidate to round out one of the exotics.
The temporary rail is in lane 3, and the course should be firm.
Jackpot Hi 5 carryover six figures
The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover heading into Monday’s nightcap is $123,880. Check Em (4-1) is capable of wiring the field in the 10th, a $6,250 claimer, as he cuts back from six to five furlongs off a victory over $8,000 nonwinners of three types. Leading rider Patrick Husbands is sticking with the Ralph Biamonte-trained 4-year-old, who earned his diploma at first asking going five-eighths.
Artefacto (5-2) is descending to a new low off a 15-length loss in a seven-furlong starter allowance. All five of his wins came over five furlongs, including when he notched his local debut for $12,500 in early August. His new rider, Luis Contreras, is 0 for 4 at the meet when riding for trainer Ricky Griffith, who won a race on Sunday.
There will not be a mandatory payout on Jackpot Hi 5 on Sunday’s Canadian International card.
Horse to watch
INDIANTOWN SUNRISE
Trainer: Pat Parente
Last race: Oct. 11, 8th
Finish: 2nd by 5
Beyer: 70
The heavily favored winner Pohdi Pohdi had everything her own way up front in the Victorian Queen Stakes, and Indiantown Sunrise did well to finish a clear second. She was fresh off her debut score in a turf sprint at Gulfstream, and might be a stakes winner in the making.