Gierkink’s review: Frontrunners find trouble

Slow fractions were common during the blustery afternoon, due to a very strong east wind. Only two frontrunners found the mark, favorites Last Minute Lucy and Guitar Solo, who bookended the nine-race card.

Luis Contreras bagged a triple, which included victories on two Norm McKnight-trained geldings, Layover in Tokyo and Th Original Scotty, who came from left field to capture the seven-furlong non-winners of three features. Th Original Scotty returned $26.30 in his first start since July 5.

Justin Stein swept a chalky early double, and David Moran also doubled up. Both inherited a winner from Jim McAleney, who failed to ride his three mounts on the program.

Even-money favorite Cristina’s Halo was a bounce prospect in the fourth off her decisive opening-day maiden win, and she ended up fading to second after fighting for the early lead. Neesa closed inside to prevail in the seven-furlong Ontario-sired allowance in her first appearance since a creditable fourth in the Nov. 24 Ontario Lassie Stakes.

Northern Bluebird mounted an Arazi-like wide rally to win the fifth going away, a $10,000 conditioned claimer. He was the first winner at this stand for trainer Darwin Banach, who commenced the 2013 meet on high note and could be heating up.

Synergist, Woodbine’s most notorious professional maiden, finally broke through in her 20th start in the seventh, an Ontario-sired maiden special. She went off at 6-1 in the five-furlong dash, in which Take a Gamble failed as the favorite for the fifth straight time.

Horses to watch

MAN CAVE
Trainer: Ashlee Brnjas
Last race: April 25, race 8
Finish: third by 3 1/4
Beyer:

After attracting lots of betting action, he was boxed on the turn along the rail before making a menacing move in just missing second in his seven-furlong season opener. The Queen’s Plate prospect won both of his races last year at 2 around two turns and should be dangerous when he stretches out.

SOLO PLAYER
Trainer: John Cardella
Last race: April 25, race 9
Finish: third by three-quarters
Beyer:

He missed the break from post 1 before closing four wide to finish behind the two favorites in his first start back in a large field of $8,000 claimers. With that tightener out of the way, he could make the grade if his next race is six furlongs, which was the distance of each of his 2013 triumphs.