Horses drawn toward inside key in rich Woodbine Jackpot Hi 5

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover is $1.43 million, and there’s a mandatory payout on the bet, which is conducted on the 13th and final race on Saturday’s Woodbine Mile card. The total pool for the 20-cent-base bet should balloon to several million dollars.

The inside portion of the turf course, which has been unused in recent weeks, will provide the best footing. All the obvious contenders drew within the first six post positions in this 13-horse field of $20,000 conditioned claimers, who will travel six furlongs over firm ground.

Orphan Queen (1) toyed with a group of $20,000 maidens after breaking from post 2 the first time she sprinted on the grass Aug. 18. She came from a stalking position after previously displaying need-the-lead tendencies, and her newfound tactical speed should come in handy, even though she has lost the crafty leading rider Eurico Da Silva. Patrick Husbands takes over for trainer Mark Fournier, who claimed Orphan Queen two starts back and is 5 for 10 the second time off the claim over the past five years.

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My other prime contender is Katrina’s Way (4), who was clearly best in a similar spot Aug. 16, when she was stuck in traffic twice and finished a close fourth. Her high-percentage trainer, Denyse McClachrie, won two races last Wednesday night.

Rockport Dancer (2) improved dramatically in her first start for trainer Danny Vella, losing by a nose after mounting a wide rally in the aforementioned Aug. 16 event. Let’s assume that the 5-year-old has been rejuvenated in her new barn.

Prized Bourbon (5) is taking a substantial drop from non-winners-of-two Ontario-sired allowance and $40,000 claiming company. Her seven runner-up placings include one in a recent turf sprint, and she was third behind the eventual stakes winner Silent Sonet in July. She flattened out after running rankly in her last race.

Office in the Sky (6) had displayed erratic form on the Tapeta prior to her easy and predictable four-length maiden victory in her first turf start, which came against $16,000 opposition Sept. 3. The daughter of Canadian champion male grass horse Sky Conqueror is a half-sister to three turf winners, most notably a stakes winner who was campaigned by her owner and trainer, Paul Buttigieg. Don’t be turned off by the low 53 Beyer Speed Figure she got while graduating, since further improvement should be forthcoming and Da Silva is sticking with her.

Jackpot Hi 5 play: 1,4 / 1,2,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6 / 1,2,4,5,6