Hipp Smitt tries allowance ranks
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The promising Hipp Smitt makes his first start outside the maiden ranks Friday at Woodbine in an Ontario-sired allowance sprint for 3-year-olds.
Hipp Smitt, trained by Scott Fairlie, finished sixth after a slow beginning when he debuted on the second day of the meet April 10. He woke up dramatically May 8, losing by a nose to the subsequent allowance winner Aaronic Blessing while putting up a big 85 Beyer Speed Figure.
Hipp Smitt was bet down to 4-5 in another five-furlong maiden special June 3. His many backers were rewarded when he scored by nearly four lengths after a speed battle and drifting out in the stretch. He has since worked three-eighths in 37 seconds on the training track.
Hipp Smitt is coupled in the Fairlie entry with Moon Doggie. Michelle Rainford was named on both, and one of them could be scratched from the six-furlong opener on the card.
A field of nine was drawn for the other Ontario-sired allowance on the card, the eighth race. Phil’s Glory should go favored.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hipp Smitt, by Spaniard
Last 3 Beyers: 75-85-46
◗ “Front-end” Fairlie had a productive spring, clicking with five of 19 starters, which was good for a 26 percent win average. Rainford, his better half, rode all of those runners.
Crushin It, by Victor’s Cry
Beyers: 74-54
◗ After a distant fourth behind Aaronic Blessing and Hipp Smitt in his debut, he romped as the chalk in a seven-furlong maiden special. He pressed the pace on the outside before drawing off on his left lead.
◗ Steve Bahen retains the mount for trainer Nick Gonzalez, a combo that is 1 for 2 at the meet.
Neil’s Diamond, by Where’s the Ring
Last 3 Beyers: 76-78-52
◗ He ended up third at first asking in the Clarendon Stakes last year and failed to earn his diploma in two subsequent starts at 2. He graduated by four lengths in a quality field in his April 24 seasonal debut.
◗ The Franz Crean homebred has been idle since May 14, when he rode an inside bias to a runner-up placing behind Queen’s Plate prospect Cheburashka.
Get’erdonebud, by Kentucky Bear
Last 3 Beyers: 70-65-65
◗ The consistent chestnut was a minor player in stakes company after notching a win in his first of six 2-year-old outings. This year, he has been second or third in all three of his starts, all allowance races, behind the likes of eventual stakes winner Songs and Laughter and Conquest Cavalry.