I'm A Gambler takes advantage of condition in Tapeta sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The well-traveled I’m A Gambler found his calling on the Tapeta at Woodbine this year and will be favored in Thursday’s headliner, a 6 1/2-furlong conditioned allowance with an $80,000 claiming option.

Bred in Ireland, I’m A Gambler made his first 24 starts in England, where he was a productive handicap horse in turf sprints from 2021-22. The 5-year-old was imported to the United States late in 2022 and was a minor player in turf stakes in Southern California for trainer Mark Glatt.

I’m A Gambler won his second local start for trainer Kevin Attard in a July 25 conditioned allowance/$50,000 claimer, which also was his first try on a synthetic surface. He went on to finish a close third behind Patches O’Houlihan in the Grade 3 Bold Venture before two straight unplaced performances in graded stakes behind the Canadian champion sprinter.

I’m A Gambler got back on track winning a seven-furlong sprint at this level with a 93 Beyer Speed Figure on Nov. 16. He remains eligible for this class because it allows for nonwinners of an open $75,000 stakes since June 8 to compete.

Sahin Civaci will ride I’m A Gambler again for Attard, and they’ve proven to be a deadly combo here this fall.

Scoot Daddy could be the main threat. The 5-year-old has been campaigned sporadically this year after getting claimed for $35,000 by trainer Marty Drexler from a win at Gulfstream in January.

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Scoot Daddy cleared the second allowance condition two starts ago here with an 87 Beyer. He went to Keeneland to race for $80,000 in a hybrid conditioned allowance on the dirt in October and took home third money after vying for the lead in midstretch, earning a career-high 88 Beyer in the process. Fraser Aebly takes over on the son of We Miss Artie.

Souped Up and Babbo could vie for the lead.

Souped Up has been one of the better claims at Woodbine. He was haltered for $25,000 in September 2023 by trainer Ron Sadler and has banked more than $150,000 this year while winning 3 of 7 starts.

Since running second to Patches O’Houlihan in the restricted Pink Lloyd Stakes on July 28, Souped Up has won an starter handicap and a conditioned allowance with Beyers of 91 and 89.

Babbo wired the field in the 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity last fall, but had endured a sophomore slump this year. Trainer Sid Attard ran him for $50,000 claiming most recently, and the colt prevailed after tracking a fast pace in the six-furlong sprint. Apprentice Austin Adams stays aboard.

Completing the field is 2022 Ontario Derby winner Ironstone, who failed to find the mark in his last nine starts while competing predominantly in stakes. He began slowly before closing for fourth in I’m A Gambler’s Nov. 16 score. David Moran picks up the mount on the Willie Armata-trained 5-year-old.

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