Nevaeh's Valentine firing bullets for 2017 debut
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Nevaeh’s Valentine fits best among the nine runners in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, a non-winners-of-three combo route for Ontario-sired stock and $40,000 claimers. Only his readiness off a winter layoff is in question.
Nevaeh’s Valentine made quite a splash in the race immediately after last year’s Queen’s Plate on July 3, graduating using his patented front-running style in a restricted first-level allowance route on the Tapeta. He subsequently won an open allowance traveling a mile over a turf course labeled “good.”
Nevaeh’s Valentine dropped a neck decision to Oakton in a second-level optional claimer Sept. 23. Two months later, he completed his 4-year-old season by finishing a close third behind Freitag and Maxsmiraclejourney in his stakes debut in the Sir Barton, for Ontario-sired types.
Friday’s eight-race card includes the first two turf tilts and the first two 2-year-old races of the meet. A maiden special weight sprint and a $16,000 claimer are the grass events, and the early double is made up of a pair of 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight dashes for juveniles.
KEY CONTENDERS
Nevaeh’s Valentine, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-82
◗ He has been working bullets under regular rider Steve Bahen, including five-eighths in 58 seconds last Sunday and a half-mile in 46.60 on April 28. Over the past five years, trainer Earl Barnett is 1 for 7 (14 percent) with horses coming back from layoffs of 61 to 180 days, with a return on investment of $4.40.
Conquest Cavalry, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 72-76-72
◗ The 4-year-old was stakes-placed at 2, and he just missed winning the restricted Vice Regent Stakes last fall. He awaited room on the turn before checking in fourth while returning from the sidelines in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint and is stretching out to the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Vice Regent.
Don Camillo, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 88-79-83
◗ He has been idle since fading to sixth behind Canadian champions Are You Kidding Me and Up With the Birds in the Grade 2 Sky Classic last August. After wintering in Florida, he has worked thrice locally and is competing with a claiming tag for the first time, which raises some red flags.
Guitar George, by Not Bourbon
Last 3 Beyers: 72-81-82
◗ The 5-year-old was in decent form prior to a flat fifth-place finish in a nine-furlong allowance the last time he started Sept. 25. Trainer Bob Tiller possesses solid numbers with six-month-plus comebackers.
