Possible singles add intrigue to late pick five
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The late pick five is the most appealing sequence on Friday’s nine-race card at Woodbine, with several viable singles in the sequence.
Sure Shot Timber could be a popular key in the fifth race for $25,000 maidens. He ran greenly when up the track at first asking against tougher May 15. When dropping to this level with blinkers added July 6, he gave it a big speed try before fading late to third. He cuts back a half-furlong from six furlongs on Friday with Xarel Forde retaining the mount for trainer Michelle Love.
The debuting Wild Eyes Forever worked well in company from the gate July 10 and should be considered if he’s live in the betting. The 4-year-old Louisiana-bred is sent out by trainer Randy Thompson, who has been shut out with 15 first-timers during the past five years.
Dissectologist could break through in the sixth race, a seven-furlong sprint for $7,500 claimers. His spring form was disappointing but he showed signs of life when a prominent third most recently and is picking up the meet’s second-leading rider, Fraser Aebly.
Two other sixth-race contenders – Awe Inspired and Cadfael – break from outside posts, which could be to their detriment if the Tapeta is inside-biased. Awe Inspired has posted mixed results in his last two outings going 1 1/16 miles for trainer John Ross, who has decent numbers with turnbacks. Cadfael has improved with each subsequent appearance at the meet and is making his first start for trainer Hannah Sprenger, who is subbing for the suspended Willy Armata.
The seventh race, for $25,000 maidens going a mile on the inner turf, seems somewhat wide open. Go Go Alexander could make his turf debut a winning one. The son of Souper Speedy is out of an English Channel mare who has produced three grass winners.
Fin Del Mundo went too fast up front before folding in the final furlong when experimenting on the inner turf against tougher July 5. The Dale Desruisseaux-trained New York-bred could make all the running with a less aggressive approach.
Joshua Strike, who’s adding Lasix off a dull opener on Tapeta, possesses some turf breeding. Oceanography is another second-time starter who could wake up with the surface change.
If Sunday’s Wells secures an uncontested lead in the eighth race, he could be long gone. If not, he’ll finish near the rear of the large field of $15,000 conditioned claimers. His two victories have come in front-running style with Beyer Speed Figures in the upper 80s under Jose Campos. Trainer Tony Gattellero is pulling out all the stops by adding blinkers to the quirky gelding’s equipment.
Those looking to spread a little in the eighth race should consider Fracen Macho and Dontgobackonurword.
Accelerando is the type of maiden winner who could come right back and beat nonwinners-of-two company in the ninth race, a 7 1/2-furlong inner turf tilt for $25,000 claimers. Going back about 2 1/2 years, trainer Bill Tharrenos won at 22 percent clip with last-out maiden winners, with a return on investment of $4.71. Superb turf rider Ryan Munger takes over on the late bloomer.
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