New Thursday post time debuts with stakes-worthy allowance

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Thursday racing returns to Woodbine this week with a new post time of 3 p.m. and a seven-race card headed by a seven-furlong conditioned allowance with an $80,000 claiming option.

Tim Lawson, Woodbine’s vice president of racing, said there are a multitude of reasons for the earlier start time.

“In consultation with our wagering department, we felt it was an ideal time slot to capitalize on the betting market for Thursday afternoons,” Lawson said. “It also allows us to space our Thoroughbred product from Woodbine Mohawk Park, which hosts night racing on Thursdays.”

I’m A Gambler, Sky’s Not Falling, Poulin in O T, and War Strategy are all nominated to the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier May 31 but appear to be ducking 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O’Houlihan by running in Thursday’s feature.

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When meeting Patches in his season opener in the May 4 Thorncliffe Stakes, I’m A Gambler missed the break before closing inside to finish a distant third under Pietro Moran.

Last year, I’m A Gambler won three of seven outings here after shipping to trainer Kevin Attard from California, while evolving into a Tapeta specialist. The Irish-bred took back-to-back conditioned allowance/optional claimers in the fall, earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure in a seven-furlong score Nov. 16.

Apprentice Moran retains the mount on I’m A Gambler, who is dropping some weight. He breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on May 16.

Sky’s Not Falling ships in from Maryland for his first start of the year. He was campaigned strictly on the grass by trainer Mike Trombetta after missing the board in the 2024 Thorncliffe, losing the restricted Maryland Million Turf by a nose after blowing a clear lead in deep stretch.

The Steve Owens-trained Poulin in O T beat $35,000 conditioned claimers decisively at Gulfstream Park in January. He used his fitness advantage to wire conditioned allowance/optional-claiming stock going 5 1/2 furlongs here April 27 and is questionable on the stretch-out.

Perennial leading trainer Mark Casse sends out War Strategy and Candy Overload.

War Strategy could link up on the lead with Poulin in O T. He had a productive 2024 campaign, taking back-to-back seven-furlong allowances on turf in August and September. He earned a career high 99 Beyer on the Tapeta when a close second to stakes winner Artie’s Storm the last time he saw action at this level on Oct. 20.

Candy Overload is returning from a one-year layoff. The handsome bay captured the Big Daddy Stakes at Turfway Park and the Thorncliffe here with a 100 Beyer early last year and then headed to the sidelines after a dull fifth in the Jacques Cartier.

Ironstone, the third-place finisher in last year’s Jacques Cartier, was away a little sluggishly in his comeback in the Thorncliffe before ending up 1 1/2 lengths behind I’m A Gambler in fourth. Trainer Willy Amata is taking the blinkers off the three-time stakes winner.

Completing the field is Twin City, who has been idle since ending up third behind I’m A Gambler on Nov. 16.

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