Seven-race card serves as World Series appetizer
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Toronto will be in a tizzy Friday night when the beloved Blue Jays host the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of Major League Baseball’s World Series.
With a 4:30 p.m. post time, Woodbine’s seven-race Friday card will end shortly before the baseball game starts. A field of 15 was drawn for the fourth race, a $25,000 claimer scheduled for a mile on the inner turf that is part of both the pick four and pick five.
Hemlo Gold is equally adept on turf or Tapeta and could go favored. The 5-year-old was claimed for $25,000 from a rare poor showing July 12 by trainer Don MacRae, who won a 7 1/2-furlong starter/optional claimer on the inner turf with him Aug. 23, for which he got an 85 Beyer Speed Figure.
Hemlo Gold made his last two starts at this level, finishing fourth on the inner turf before ending up second on the Tapeta. He ran wide while against a track bias in each event and could get hung out wide again from post 10 on Friday with a hot Jose Campos retaining the mount.
The meet’s second-leading trainer, Marty Drexler, entered Walter Me Lad and Ever Dangerous.
After getting claimed for $15,000 in late June, Walter Me Lad ran three consecutive solid races at this level, culminating in a close second going 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner turf. His last triumph came in a six-furlong starter allowance in December, and a mile seems just beyond his optimum distance.
Ever Dangerous has had a productive campaign, which began with a series of competitive performances at Gulfstream. He dropped from conditioned allowance company to this level most recently and wound up third behind Peja Du, who had everything his way over a speed-friendly inner course.
Chairman Bob is dropping from first-level allowance company for his third start off an extended layoff and could get back on the beam. The 6-year-old has two inner turf tallies to his credit and is being reunited with Jason Hoyte, who was aboard for those wins.
Lasting Silence defeated $25,000 nonwinners of three two back over this course and distance. He was overmatched most recently against nonwinners-of-two allowance stock.
Palio has worked regularly for his first outing since his May 31 season opener, in which he ran seventh behind Frosted Over and Wyoming Bill in a tough allowance. Trainer Sarah Ritchie has mediocre numbers with similar layoff runners.
Longshots Mad Dog N Joe and Chill the J should be one-two early. The rail position in lane 1 is not usually kind to speed. Fanore, Quiet Intent, Sailor’s Passion, and Penner Ash are all candidates for the lower rungs of the exotics.
The three also-eligibles – One More Brew, Malibu Mambo, and El Kabong – are all in fine form.
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