Gimbala a likely winner in juvenile maiden dash

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – First post on Fridays at Woodbine has been pushed back to 3:45 p.m. Eastern for most of the summer. The only non-claiming event on this Friday’s card is a five-furlong maiden special weight sprint on the main track.

Race 2 drew a field of nine Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies headed by the Robert Tiller-trained Gimbala, who should be the prohibitive favorite. Gimbala was bet down to 6-5 in her debut here on June 17. After bumping a rival at the break of the 4 1/2-furlong race, she took up the chase in second along the rail before ending up second to Mega Monster, who is headed for stakes.

Gimbala is a full sister to the speedy allowance winner Hipp Smitt. She is also a half-sister to the stakes-placed juvenile Doctor Jack.

Leading rider Eurico Da Silva rode Gimbala in her debut and will ride her again Friday for owner Goldmart Farm. Gimbala will add blinkers for the race.

Four of Friday’s eight races are on the grass, including a $50,000 sprint for fillies and mares that’s loaded with speed.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Gimbala, by Spaniard

Beyer: 54

DRF Formulator fact: Over the past five years, Tiller is 4 for 17 (24 percent) with 2-year-old maiden second-time starters adding blinkers.

Essential, by Giant Gizmo

Beyer: 35

◗ After starting a bit slowly in her opener, the Tucci Stable homebred raced wide en route to finishing fifth behind Gimbala and galloped out strongly. Her dam captured the restricted Nandi Stakes at 2.

Misguided Passion, by Not Bourbon

Beyer: 39

◗ She gave the others about a five-length head start while breaking in the air at first asking and closed for third in that maiden special weight dash on June 10.

◗ Like Essential, she is trained by Nick Gonzalez, who has solid numbers with maidens starting for the second time.

Miss G Note, by Kentucky Bear

Beyer: 43

◗ The full sister to minor stakes winner Bear’s Reality checked in fourth after going wide in the lane in her lone outing, finishing about three lengths behind Gimbala.

◗ Her outside draw is a negative, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see her hit the board under Sheena Ryan.

Dontdropurcrop, by Kentucky Bear

◗ The first-time runner has posted average works for John Ross, also the trainer of Miss G Note. Ross developed the champion Lexie Lou.

Dirty Girl, by Giant Gizmo

◗ By a 9 percent 2-year-old debut sire, she is a half-sister to the stakes-placed juveniles Dreamy Moonlite and Ring in the Nite.