Hammersly: Late pick four for Canadian International card

It should be no surprise that a wave of invading European talent and a top-class turf distaffer from the Chad Brown barn figure prominently in Sunday’s late pick four (races 9-12) at Woodbine.

Race 9
RAINHA DA BATERIA (#4) left herself with far too much to do in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington last time out but ran on smartly for fourth. She’s a two-time Grade 2 winner on this course, and trainer Brown continues his strong work. QUIDURA (#3) is thoroughly top-class. She darn near beat all-world Lady Eli in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Diana and came back to win the Grade 2 Canadian on this course last time out. NEZWAAH (#6) has won two of three this year in Europe, the lone loss coming to superstar filly Enable. She was seventh in this last year but may be a better filly now. RAIN GODDESS (#7) didn’t do much when shipping to Arlington for the Beverly D., looming and finishing eighth, but she got back on track after that in Ireland and looms a danger.

A’s) 3, 4
B’s) 6, 7
C’s) None

Race 10
ERUPT (#9) won this last year, so you know he likes this place. He chased the pace before tiring to fifth in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Sword Dancer last time but is capable of better. IDAHO (#4) has run poorly the two times he’s shipped to North America, so it’s conceivable that he’s not terribly comfortable shipping such a long way from home, but he’s got loads of talent and wasn’t disgraced when eighth in the Group 1 Arc de Triomphe in France a couple weeks ago. JOHNNY BEAR (#5) has blossomed in recent months, winning three of his last four, including taking the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf here last time out, beating a top Euro (Hawkbill) in the process. ENTERPRISING (#3) nearly won the Grade 1 Arlington Million. He was dull next time out at Kentucky Downs, but that Arlington run shows he’s got the ammunition.

A’s) 4, 9
B’s) 5
C’s) 3

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Race 11
SEVENCOMINGOUT (#10) stalked the pace and loomed a big threat into the lane before finishing fifth last time out here Oct. 7, but that was vs. $30,000 foes. He now has a couple races under his belt, and the drop may be key. DISCREET DAN (#1) perked up with a fine second here last time out Sept. 16 and may be getting the hang of this. THIRD MAN IN (#4) has been knocking on the door and may be ready to break through. All his best races have come on this main track.

A’s) 1, 10
B’s) 4
C’s) None

Race 12
REMEMBERING MICKEY (#12) perked up with an improved run to be fourth here Sept. 9. All his work vs. winners has come vs. much tougher, so there’s a significant drop here, and his last start on this main track was strong (second). GASCONADE (#14) comes off two nice turf sprints at Belmont (third in each). He figures to appreciate the drop, and note that his lone win came on synthetic footing. A recent bullet work indicates he’s doing well. BE THE CHANGE (#6) was away slowly at this level here Sept. 23 but finished with good energy to get third. Considering that he won his maiden in his prior race going wire to wire, you know he has more tactical speed, and now he has proven versatility.

A’s) 12
B’s) 6, 14
C’s) None