Gierkink's review: Tiller scores triple

Sunday, April 20 review

Trainer Bob Tiller heated up with three tallies on the card, most notably with the allowance winners Be Mind Phil and The Imposter. It escalated him into a tie for second in the standings, a position he maintained throughout the 2013 meet.

Six-time leading Woodbine trainer Mark Casse sits atop the standings with five wins, one more than Tiller, Mike DePaulo and Nick Gonzalez. Casse won a seven-furlong entry-level allowance with Sky Captain, who had been sidelined for just over a year but was ready off a series of five-furlong works. Most came at the Ocala Training Center, then he had one work each at Keeneland and Woodbine. Patrick Husbands, Casse’s longtime go-to rider, rode Sky Captain and The Imposter.

Husbands is tied for second in the jockey standings with Jesse Campbell. Both have seven wins, but Husbands has had just 17 mounts, compared to Campbell’s 24 rides. Luis Contreras, who leads with eight victories from 37 mounts, doubled up on the card, as did Campbell.

Campbell guided Puntrooski to a ridiculously easy score in the $127,750 Woodstock Stakes. The Gulfstream shipper swooped by the rest of the field on the outside on the turn before scoring by five lengths, geared down. His six-furlong time of 1:09.31 translated into a fat 98 Beyer. It was the first start on Polytrack for Puntrooski, who was claimed for $50,000 in February by Gonzalez for Tucci Stable.

Puntrooski’s victory was even more impressive when you consider that the track had a live rail, which yielded five of the nine winners. Those winners were Cristalino, Koscheck, Aunt Els, Be Mind Phil, and Robs Giant Gizmo.

HORSES TO WATCH

SNOWY LEGACY
Trainer: John Charalambous
Last race: April 20, 7th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/4
Beyer: 49
He attended the pace from a four-wide position on the turn before finishing well and then galloping out in front. Ignore his low Beyer, which could help him go off at a square price next time in his second start off the layoff. That will be the third career race for the 3-year-old, who was a June foal.

PRETTY TOO FACED
Trainer: Emily Walker
Last race: April 20, 6th
Finish: 4th by 2 1/2
Beyer: 60
After breaking awkwardly, she rallied belatedly on the outside from mid-pack over a rail-favoring track in an encouraging effort going seven-eighths. That was her first outing in over four months, and it should set her up nicely for the stretchout to a route.