Run to the Bank will try to continue momentum for red-hot Nosowenko
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Owner-trainer Nick Nosowenko has gotten off to a fast start at the Woodbine meet and will saddle his durable stable star Run to the Bank in Friday’s headliner, a second-level allowance with a $60,000 claiming option.
Run to the Bank, a 7-year-old gelding, has been idle since a subpar showing Nov. 22. He found the mark in three of 12 starts last year, including a determined score in a 5 1/2-furlong optional claimer in his season opener, an effort that displayed his ability to produce off a layoff.
Run to the Bank cleared the third allowance category in a May 16 optional claimer in which he upset Canadian champion Pender Harbour while putting up a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure. Following a slump that lasted from the summer until early fall, he captured a $50,000 claimer over seven furlongs Nov. 12.
Run to the Bank worked two bullet half-miles in early April before breezing five-eighths in 1:01.60 last Saturday. Journeyman Jesse Campbell has the mount.
The five-furlong feature goes as race 2 on an eight-race card that has just 52 horses entered.
KEY CONTENDERS
Run to the Bank (Last 3 Beyers: 71-84-72)
◗ Nosowenko hit with three of his six starters during the first four days of the meet, including allowance tallies with No Soup for You and Splashy Gizmo.
Northern Hammer (Last 3 Beyers: 84-79-70)
◗ After shipping in from Parx, he experienced some early-season success here last year. One of his better performances was a fourth behind Run to the Bank, Pender Harbour, and Patrioticandproud in May.
◗ He was a minor player at Parx this past winter before getting a break. He had a three-wide stalking trip over an inside-favoring track in an April 11 starter allowance that came up tough.
French Quarter (Last 3 Beyers: 59-90-80)
◗ He earned a 90 Beyer in his front-running, 5 1/4-length victory in a March 7 optional claimer at Gulfstream. He came up empty as the favorite after pressing the pace in a $25,000 starter allowance here April 11.
◗ Expect him to lead the way going a distance over which he’s 1 for 1.
Kitten Candy (Last 3 Beyers: 67-88-86)
◗ The first race of his form cycle has never been his best, but he’s arguably the most talented runner in the lineup. He could end up tracking French Quarter around the turn before making a bid.