Port Renfrew brings top Beyer, plenty of questions

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Questions abound regarding Port Renfrew in Thursday’s seventh race for fillies and mares at Woodbine, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden sprint combining Ontario-sired runners with $40,000 claimers.

How ready is she off a long layoff in just her second career start? Is the drop from maiden special company a dicey one? Will Lasix move her up?

Owned and trained by Darwin Banach, Port Renfrew finished a flat fourth when debuting in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special June 4. That race has yet to yield a next-out winner, but the 66 Beyer Speed Figure she earned is easily the highest in Thursday’s seven-horse field.

Banach won two races last Thursday, but his numbers pertaining to this situation are mediocre at best. Over the past five years, he has a 13 percent strike rate with six-month-plus comebackers, with a return on investment of $1.25. He won at a 5 percent clip during that time with maiden second-time starters and was shareless with three such runners adding Lasix.

Port Renfrew has worked regularly since late October, a good sign for a filly who’s taking a subtle drop to compete for $40,000. Justin Stein retains the mount on the nicely bred daughter of Violence and good producer Screwgie.

Crimson Nights seems likely to be a factor despite moving up in class from $25,000. She finished third in both of her November outings, most recently after racing wide throughout over an inside-favoring track. She got a career-best 61 Beyer after getting softened up in a speed duel on Nov. 9, and her versatility in terms of running style is an asset.

Skye Chernetz will ride Crimson Nights again for Linmac Farms and trainer Dave Cotey. She’s been winning at an 11 percent rate for Cotey, with a positive ROI.

Tachyon Speed could be set to peak in her third start following a freshening and third try for second-leading trainer Marty Drexler. She rode a live rail on the turn before going wide in the stretch en route to finishing fourth when dropping to this level Nov. 26. The daughter of Souper Speedy is being reunited with Rafael Hernandez, who has won on 13 of 37 mounts at the meet for Drexler.

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Work It Baby might have the most upside in the lineup. The 4-year-old daughter of Outwork benefited from the inside bias while edging out Crimson Nights for second when debuting for $25,000 on Nov. 30. Her hot trainer, Sandy McPherson, is 0 for 5 with maiden second-time starters during the past five years.

Another Pinky placed in both of her races traveling 5 1/2 furlongs, benefiting from a rail bias when she put away the other speed before fading to third in her latest.

Wild Fire was forwardly placed while three wide before checking in second at first asking Nov. 26.

Tapping a Rhythm is moving up from $25,000 and seems over the top of her best form.

Post time for the final Thursday card of the meet is 4:40 p.m.

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