Gierkink’s review: Rider Sutherland-Kruse strikes on 2 pick-ups

Chantal Sutherland-Kruse made the most of pick-up ride Purely Hot in the Grade 3 Whimsical Stakes, winning the six-furlong tilt decisively after coming from off a brisk pace. She inherited the mount from Eurico Da Silva, who booked off after getting kicked in the paddock prior to the seventh race.

Sutherland-Kruse rated Purely Hot ($15.10) in third on the backstretch, well off Goldstryke Glory and reigning Canadian champion female sprinter Youcan’tcatchme. Purely Hot began to mount a wide charge early in the lane, then hit the front inside the eighth pole before drawing clear to prevail in 1:09.89. Spring in the Air secured second over another closer, Mekong Delta, after the frontrunners folded.

Sutherland-Kruse struck again in the ninth on another pick-up, Marilyn Bordeaux. Sheena Ryan, who also doubled up on the card, seems poised to become Woodbine’s dominant apprentice.

Luis Contreras gained a foothold atop the jockey standings by scoring thrice. Emma-Jayne Wilson had a rough trip on two favorites, Bear’s Romeo in the fifth and D’oro Diablo in the sixth. She has yet to score at the meet, but the drought shouldn’t last much longer. Jim McAleney was off his mounts for the second straight day.

Five frontrunners won on the 10-race card of sprints. Three of those winners came in seven-furlong events.

Wagering was down significantly on the early days of the meet, but Saturday’s handle of $3.546 million was excellent. Betting on the third Saturday of the 2013 meet was nearly $3.9 million, an impressive total that was a bi-product of the popular Kentucky Derby program.

Horses to watch

D’ORO DIABLO
Trainer: John Simms
Last race: April 26, race 6
Finish: fifth by 5 1/4
Beyer: 58

This durable veteran endured his second straight troubled trip of the meet in this $16,000 claimer. He was shut off in the early stretch after racing in tight between rivals, losing considerable momentum in the process. He was probably going to be no match for victorious Malibu Skyline but should have cracked the top three.

THE GREAT GIZMO
Trainer: Bob Tiller
Last race: April 26, race 5
Finish: Second by 1 1/4
Beyer: 45

He rallied along the inside from far back on the turn, then altered course in the stretch to nail down second right on the wire in his five-furlong debut, after which he galloped out well. The son of Giant Gizmo is bred to run on and to be a later bloomer.