Gierkink's review: Dynamic duo doubles up

Wednesday, May 28 review

Oxley and Casse double up

Two-time Sovereign Award-winning owner John Oxley and leading trainer Mark Casse combined to win both optional claimers on the first Wednesday night program of the meet.

Matador ($2.70) kept his Queen's Plate hopes alive with a six-length closing score under Patrick Husbands in a fast-paced route for 3-year-olds, earning an 85 Beyer in his first victory on Polytrack. Matador, a handsome son of Malibu Moon, was previously a non-factor on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Lockout ($15) had numerous layoff lines among his past performances in the fourth, a second-level allowance with a $62,500 claiming option at seven-eighths on the grass. Under a fine ride from Gary Boulanger, the 5-year-old awaited room on the turn before closing between rivals inside the eighth pole to prevail by daylight in his first outing in nine months.

Hot jockeys

Chantal Sutherland-Kruse was the lone rider to score twice on the eight-race card. She ranks seventh in the standings, with 10 wins from 78 mounts.

Pretty Two Faced rallied along the inside to land an Ontario-sired allowance under a patient ride from Michelle Rainford, who was recording her seventh win of the meet. Her 26 mounts have produced a positive return on investment of $3.10.

Horses to Watch

DANCING ASHLEY
Trainer: Ralph Biamonte
Last race: May 28, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 66

She was pounded down to favoritism in this Ontario-sired allowance sprint. After breaking from the outside post 9, she did well to finish second after mounting a five-wide rally from late on the backstretch through to the wire.