Gierkink's Woodbine horses to watch for week of Dec. 2

NIPIGON
Trainer: Rachel Halden
Last race: Nov. 29, 8th
Finish: 2nd by a head
Beyer: 77
Off a second-out maiden win, he had to take his game to another level if he was to make an impact in the nine-furlong Coronation Futurity, and he did. The handsome son of Queen’s Plate winner Niigon hails from the family of champion Sky Beauty. He looks like a viable candidate for next year’s Plate.

SHOT FOR SHOT
Trainer: Michelle Love
Last race: Nov. 30, 6th
Finish: 4th by 4 1/2
Beyer: 50
He raced wide throughout while closing belatedly the first time out in a seven-furlong maiden special for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds. The inexpensive son of Milwaukee Brew and a Thunder Gulch mare is bred to run on and should be a useful 3-year-old.