Hemlock Channel finds good comeback spot
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Turf racing is in full swing at Woodbine. A mixed bag of 11 $40,000 claimers will clash on turf in Friday’s seventh race over 6 1/2 furlongs, including the comebacker Hemlock Channel.
Hemlock Channel is making his first start for trainer Norm McKnight, who has begun the meet in sizzling fashion by clicking with nine of 19 starters, a sensational 47 percent win average. Hemlock Channel has been idle since narrowly losing a $32,000 claimer at seven furlongs on the Polytrack here Nov. 22, which came on the heels of a victory for $25,000 in another seven-furlong sprint.
Hemlock Channel tried turf twice last summer. After closing for second behind the hard-knocking Gentleman Jackson in a $32,000 claimer, he was a fading fifth in a one-mile route for $50,000 stock.
Race 7 is scheduled to be in lane 1 of the turf course on a nine-race card made up exclusively of claiming events.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hemlock Channel, by E Dubai
Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-73
◗ McKnight has excellent numbers with new acquisitions and six-month-plus layoff runners.
◗ He is 2 for 3 at the meet when using Alan Garcia, who was aboard for Hemlock Channel’s last race and has the mount again.
◗ The 7-year-old has been working bullets on the Tapeta.
Best Bard, by Shakespeare
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-82
◗ He ended a drought by dusting $40,000 conditioned opposition in October and then ran hot and cold over the winter at Gulfstream. He finished fifth there most recently in an optional claimer that contained five next-out winners, most notably Gombey Dancer, who doubled up in an allowance at Monmouth.
Puntrooskie, by In Summation
Last 3 Beyers: 82-85-70
◗ The classy stakes winner is descending to a new low off a flat fourth in a second-level optional claimer on the Tapeta.
◗ His limited grass form is mediocre, but he appears to be in fine fettle after working five-eighths in a bullet 58.60 seconds on the Tapeta on May 17.
Sparrowhawk, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 71-70-68
◗ His recent form is weak, but he’s putting blinkers back on and could be the controlling speed.
◗ Simon Husbands was aboard when he led throughout a second-level optional claimer on this course last August, and he has the mount Friday.
San Nicola Thunder, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 72-80-77
◗ The restricted stakes winner failed to find the mark in nine starts last year but is getting some class relief following a winter layoff.
◗ His red-hot rider, Eurico Da Silva, scored on four of eight mounts here Monday before flying to Presque Isle Downs to notch his second stakes of the day.