Puntrooskie brings good form to Jacques Cartier Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Puntrooskie will look to bring his encouraging south Florida form north of the border when he takes on nine rivals in Sunday’s $125,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine.
Puntrooskie made three starts over the winter at Gulfstream Park, including a one-length defeat to Rock Fall in his most recent race, a $62,500 optional claimer March 15. Rock Fall came out of that event to win a $100,000 optional claimer by nine lengths at Keeneland on April 18 and earn a 109 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We got three nice starts into him,” trainer Nicholas Gonzalez said of Puntrooskie. “He ran against some tough opposition down there at Gulfstream. Even in that last race he got beat, the horse of Todd Pletcher’s ran a 104 Beyer two starts before. The Jacques Cartier isn’t going to be an easy race either.”
Leading up to the Jacques Cartier, Puntrooskie recorded a bullet five-furlong breeze in 59.60 seconds on the main track here April 16.
“He blew out awesome,” Gonzalez said. “We gave him five weeks between races to keep him fresh, and he’s going into the race real good.”
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KEY CONTENDERS
Calgary Cat (Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-98)
◗ Calgary Cat will begin his defense of his 2014 Canadian male sprint championship in the Jacques Cartier and should have some foundation underneath him off a series of breezes at Gulfstream Park and Woodbine.
◗ A projected quick early pace should help Calgary Cat, who won five of his seven starts last year from off the pace.
Puntrooskie (Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-90)
◗ Last found the winner’s circle in the Woodstock Stakes here last April, when he earned a 98 Beyer. He sat off a quick pace and circled the field in the Woodstock off a similar five-week layoff. A quick pace and an outside draw in the Jacques Cartier should be to his benefit.
Pablo Del Monte (Last 3 Beyers: 78-89-83)
◗ Has shown strong Polytrack form, having won three of his four sprint starts on the surface, including his most recent start at Turfway Park on March 6.
◗ He faded to sixth in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar last July after duelling early but still earned an 89 Beyer, which fits with this field.
Black Hornet (Last 3 Beyers: 90-96-87)
◗ Figures to be the speed of the speed, and the inside draw should help him get position on the other front-runners early.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Jockey Luis Contreras will ride Black Hornet for the first time and has combined with trainer Pat Parente for a 3-for-18 record at Woodbine over the past five years, with a return on investment of $10.93.
Bear No Joke (Last 3 Beyers: 90-83-90)
◗ Bear No Joke has been competitive with Calgary Cat and Black Hornet in this division and comes into this race with a strong work tab. Expect him to be forwardly placed and just in behind the speed for jockey Patrick Husbands.