Magic Tiger shortens up, looking to extend win streak in Free Press
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The fast-improving Magic Tiger shortens up to six furlongs with a chance to extend his winning streak in the 63rd running of the $50,000 Free Press Stakes on Wednesday at Assiniboia.
A closer trained by Wendy Anderson, Magic Tiger was a bargain $6,250 claim at Golden Gate on April 2, when he ran second in a one-mile route on the synthetic Tapeta surface. The 4-year-old was shipped to Assiniboia after coming up empty in an April 22 turf experiment.
Magic Tiger rallied from nine lengths off a slow pace to prevail with a 74 Beyer Speed Figure here May 22. He upped his game even more on June 7, taking another seven-furlong allowance/optional claimer by five lengths with an 84 Beyer.
Magic Tiger has a solid six-furlong record, and the abundance of speed in this nine-horse field might be to his benefit. Damario Bynoe will ride him again for the partnership of Bill Melkle and Wind Dancer.
Convention is another late-running type in the Free Press lineup, with a chance to hit the exotics at a square price under Sven Balroop. He was claimed from a strong powerful performance for $20,000 going a mile at Turf Paradise on April 25, after which he bombed, missing the break in the five-furlong Rock’n USA Stakes here June 7.
Convention is trained by Jared Brown, who won at an 18 percent clip second time off a claim over the past five years, with a return on investment of 98 cents.
The Robertino Diodoro-trained Tiger Dad is the 8-5 morning-line favorite. The win-shy 7-year-old has been in a tailspin since ending up second with a big 91 Beyer in the 100,000 Phoenix Gold Cup in March at Turf Paradise. He drew post 2 under Jorge Carreno and could end up in the middle of the front-end fracas.
Alberta invader Stone Carver, the 3-1 second choice on the line, drew the rail under Jose Mariano Asencio. The need-the-lead type lost a squeaker in his June 3 season opener in the six-furlong Journal Handicap at Century Mile, from which third-place finisher Quinto Sol exited to win an allowance/optional claimer there with a 77 Beyer.
Big Nick prevailed in the front-end battle and the war when taking the Rock’n USA, his second score in as many starts at the meet. His tactical speed may come in handy under leading rider Antonio Whitehall, who will get a leg up from trainer Murray Duncan.
Completing the field are Mr. Dazzle, Sir Deputy, Handcarved, and Prayforpeace.
The Free Press goes as the sixth on an excellent seven-race card with a post time of 7:30 p.m. Central.
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