Pace could set up for ‘Alley Oop' play

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sahin Civaci made his way to the top of the Woodbine jockey standings last week and had a 44-41-win advantage over Rafael Hernandez heading into this week.

Civaci, who won two stakes last Saturday, picks his mounts judiciously. He rides two on Friday, including probable favorite Alley Oop Johnny in the fifth race, a starter/optional claimer scheduled for a mile on the inner turf.

Trained by Jim Ensom, Alley Oop Johnny had a productive winter and spring campaign at Gulfstream Park, where he won a $35,000 conditioned claimer on Tapeta in April. Returning to Woodbine on May 25, he ran third as the heavy favorite in a Tapeta route won by Peja Du, who had everything his own way while setting a slow pace on a golden rail.

Most recently when switching to the inner turf in another starter/optional claimer, Alley Oop Johnny turned the tables on Peja Du and prevailed by a neck with an 81 Beyer Speed Figure. The 7-year-old has worked three times since that June 16 outing, including a half-mile in a bullet 47 on July 12. His tactical speed may come in handy in a 10-horse field with other early foot.

Bruno Schickedanz owns Alley Oop Johnny and has a powerful one-two punch in the race, also sending out Media Sensation, who could pick up all the pieces if a hotly contested pace battle materializes.

Trained by Marty Drexler, Media Sensation also had a successful winter at Gulfstream. The 5-year-old returned from a two-month break to beat $15,000 non-winners of three claimers on the Tapeta here May 19. He doubled up in a starter/optional claimer on the inner turf June 30, in which he overcame a slow pace with a three-wide burst from fourth.

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Leo Salles inherits the mount on Media Sensation from Kazushi Kimura, who left Woodbine to ride the Del Mar summer meet.

Chairman Bob has run two strong races on the inner turf this meet for trainer Willy Armata, finishing third behind Alley Oop Johnny and Peja Du on June 16. The closer won a lesser starter race with ease in his comeback on May 19 under regular rider Jason Hoyte.

Green Fleet set the pace before weakening to third behind Media Sensation in his improved second race off the sidelines for trainer David Borsk.

Spring Mountain is debuting for trainer Sandy McPherson, who has excellent recent numbers off a claim from a small sample. The 5-year-old took 3 of 7 starts last year and could wake up in his third race off the bench.

The hot apprentice Sofia Vives will get a leg up from trainer David Bell on Classy Whisper, who is dropping from $25,000 claiming company. Vives ranks fourth in the standings with 31 wins and is the co-leading rider at Fort Eire.

Post time for the eight-race card is 1:05 p.m.

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