It's Tiller times two in filly sprint
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Robert Tiller appears to be holding a good hand with Jack’s Memory and Gizmo’s Destiny in Friday’s headliner, a 3-year-old filly contest for nonwinners of two Ontario-sired allowance, and for $40,000 claimers.
Jack’s Memory made quite a splash in her only start, which came in a maiden special weight for Ontario-breds in December on the penultimate day of the 2017 Woodbine meet. After racing at the rear of a large field early in the six-furlong race, she began to mount a five-wide rally on the turn and then came down the center of the track to prevail over Zestina, who subsequently won a maiden special weight sprint.
Jack’s Memory has worked predominantly on the training track this spring, with her lone Tapeta breeze coming April 19, five-eighths in 1:01.60.
Gizmo’s Destiny made seven starts at 2. She graduated over a mile and 70 yards in her fifth outing Sept. 23 before finishing fourth in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and sixth in the South Ocean Stakes. Following a winter layoff, Gizmo’s Destiny came up empty after a four-wide trip in a seven-furlong event at this level April 28, a race she seemingly needed.
Five others were entered in the 6 1/2-furlong feature, which goes as the eighth on a nine-race card.
KEY CONTENDERS
Jack’s Memory, by Milwaukee Brew
Beyer: 60
◗ Sheena Ryan retains the mount. She has won with 2 of 9 mounts at the meet, including a 1-for-3 record for Tiller, who is tied for second in the trainer standings with 6 wins from 16 starters.
Gizmo’s Destiny, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 52-49-46
◗ Eurico Da Silva, who won a maiden race aboard her, rides Friday and has been Tiller’s go-to rider in recent years. The “Brazilian Blurr” scored a hat trick when returning from a suspension last Sunday.
Worlds Your Oyster, by Silent Name
Beyers: 58-52-56
◗ After winning her debut Oct. 15, she faded to fifth in an open allowance Nov. 10 and then capped her season two weeks later with a second in an Ontario-sired allowance.
◗ Gary Boulanger replaces the injured Emma-Jayne Wilson on the Phil Gracey trainee.
Opeongo, by Cold Harbor
Beyer: 56
She was dismissed at 18-1 in her April 21 opener. She broke alertly from the rail en route to a front-running victory going five-eighths.
Close Image, by Badge of Silver
Last 3 Beyers: 62-56-68
◗ She crushed $25,000 maidens Sept. 27 and then got the winter off after finishing on the edges in two straight allowances in the fall.
Midnight Strider, by Town Prize
Beyers: 19-45-43
◗ She captured her debut last May and then came up empty in a pair of restricted stakes in August before going to the sidelines.