Puntrooskie gets added ground, class relief in Sunday sprint feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodstock Stakes winner Puntrooskie will face older horses for the second straight start in the featured ninth race Sunday at Woodbine, a second-level optional claimer over seven furlongs on Polytrack.

Puntrooskie rallied behind a slow pace to finish second, beaten just a half-length, to Kitten Candy over six furlongs Aug. 2 and should appreciate the added ground in this event.

Puntrooskie was a key claim by trainer Nicholas Gonzalez and owner Tucci Stables last winter at Gulfstream Park. Claimed for $50,000 in February, Puntrooskie won the Woodstock Stakes with a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in his third start for his new connections and his first over Woodbine’s Polytrack. The same connections also claimed eventual 2013 Queen’s Plate winner Midnight Aria at Gulfstream Park in January 2013.

In two starts after his Woodstock win, Puntrooskie was a close fifth while routing in the Marine Stakes in May and was fifth again in a move back to turf in the Charlie Barley Stakes on July 5.

KEY CONTENDERS

Puntrooskie (Last 3 Beyers: 82-75-85)

◗ The outside draw should help Puntrooskie, who will be off the pace and should have some speed to run at. Polytrack appears to be his preferred surface based on recent speed figures.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Gonzalez and jockey Jesse Campbell have combined to win 20 percent of their 51 starts together in synthetic sprints at Woodbine over the past six months, with a return on investment of $2.

:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts

Constantino (Last 3 Beyers: 82-78-74)

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old has been consistent this season, with two wins and two seconds in four starts. He’s 2 for 2 in sprints, having won a first-level allowance event last time out over 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 9.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Mark Casse has won at a 23 percent clip from 79 starts over the past five years with allowance horses sprinting on synthetic under jockey Patrick Husbands.

Massive Explosion (Last 3 Beyers: 79-53-91)

◗ Massive Explosion should inject some early speed in this event and could find himself alone on the lead. He went all the way on an uncontested lead in his seasonal debut at Presque Isle Downs on June 2 and earned a 91 Beyer.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Justin Johns has a 41 percent strike rate from 17 starts in allowance races over the past five years, with an ROI of $2.51.