Ron Gierkink's Woodbine handicapping notebook for April 20

Saturday, April 19

Trainer Mark Casse scored twice with a pair of promising 3-year-old fillies, most notably in the $144,000 Star Shoot Stakes with Zensational Bunny, who had a fitness edge on many of her rivals after racing during the winter. She covered six furlongs in 1:10.22 and earned an 86 Beyer, giving jockey Patrick Husbands his third winner on the card.

Paladin Bay, who wintered in Ontario, rallied from mid-pack to nail pacemaker Shanagarry on the wire for second in the Star Shoot. That encouraging effort should set her up nicely for the Grade 3 Selene Stakes May 18, which will be her final prep for the June 15 Woodbine Oaks. Norquay, the lukewarm favorite, finished seventh after a trouble trip.

Casse sent out Wild Catomine to land her debut with a 68 Beyer in a seven-furlong maiden special, in which she earned a 40 percent bonus for being an Ontario-sired runner in open company. By the hot sire Milwaukee Brew, Wild Catomine cost $110,000 at a local yearling sale and could be an Oaks prospect.

The Polytrack played fair on the 10-race card of sprints.

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover heading into Sunday’s finale is $15,833.

HORSES TO WATCH

ENDEAVOR’S DREAM
Trainer: Nick Gonzalez
Last race: April 19, 5th
Finish: Second by 1 1/4
Beyer: 59

This steady 3-year-old put away the other speed before giving way to an older rival, who had wintered in Florida, in his second start off the bench after coming from Gulfstream. The first allowance condition for Ontario-sired stock is his for the taking.

AROUND WE GO
Trainer: Robert Gerl
Last race: April 19, fourth
Finish: fourth by 4 1/2
Beyer: 67

He made a lovely pre-race appearance before closing belatedly in a non-winners of three tilt, which combined $20,000 claimers with Ontario-sired runners. It was his first appearance in four-and-a-half months, and he should be more effective with that tightener under his girth.

Sunday, April 20

Only six 3-year-olds were entered in the $125,000 Woodstock Stakes, which features a matchup between Go Greeley and Jose Sea View, who were separated by just a point in the voting for last year’s Canadian champion 2-year-old.

Go Greeley won the Sovereign Award, but Jose Sea View might get the better of him here in their first meeting. Both got the winter off, but Jose Sea View has worked more extensively than the massive Go Greeley, who has been off longer and figures to need one.

Puntrooski could be the spoiler, even though he has never competed over synthetics. Claimed by trainer Nick Gonzalez for $50,000 at Gulfstream in February, Puntrooskie decisively won a recent maiden special for Florida-breds there with an 82 Beyer.

Trainer Ricky Griffith entered two winter-raced runners in poor form, Tuscan Getaway and Callmeoldfashion. He won last Sunday’s Jacques Cartier Stakes with longshot Dan the Tin Man. Only I Know, unbeaten in two starts at Mountaineer, was scratched from a stakes Saturday night at Charles Town.

Handicappers should note that the second pick 4 on the nine-race card starts on the sixth race. The early pick 4 is guaranteed at $100,000, a minimum that was exceeded Saturday after a delayed post time for the fourth.

On paper, the standouts on the card are Koscheck in the second and Walkers Terrace in the third. In the ninth, Keen Gizmo can get back on track in his first start as a gelding.