Woodbine: Big Kick back on Polytrack in search of maiden win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Stronach Stable entry of Big Kick and Big Daddy Bill heads the only non-claiming race on Wednesday’s Woodbine card. The B-level maiden special will be run over 1 1/16 miles for a purse of $37,000, and a case can be made for most of the field.

Big Kick commenced his career in the spring at Pimlico, where he filled out the exacta second time out when stretching out to a 1 1/16 miles in maiden special company.

In his lone synthetic-track excursion, which came at Presque Isle Downs on June 6, Big Kick made a middle move to battle for the lead before flattening out to fourth as the favorite.

Big Kick competed on turf in his last two outings before getting a freshening. After running second to next-out stakes winner Corinthian’s Jewel in a maiden special at Monmouth, he finished 13th in the Breeders’ Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Sean Smullen trains Big Kick and Big Daddy Bill, who was a slow-starting fourth when he debuted in a seven-furlong sprint for $32,000 maidens here Aug. 10. He subsequently finished a close third in a nine-furlong maiden special on the dirt at Fort Erie.

Emma Wilson was named on Big Kick, and Jesse Campbell has the mount on Big Daddy Bill.

Sue Them All is a longshot possibility. He raced four wide most of the way while closing for second in a $25,000 claimer Aug. 17, but then couldn’t keep up in a subsequent 10-furlong maiden special.

Apprentice Skye Chernetz will ride Sue Them All again for trainer Dave Cotey.

Galactico checked in third at this level and distance in his second race off the shelf on the Polytrack on June 22. He has had some success on the grass in his two races since then.

Good Answer has been ineffective in regular maiden special company, since a runner-up placing for $50,000 on the grass in June. Most recently he tracked the leaders before fading to end up a distant fourth over 10 furlongs.

One for Jack ran on nicely for second against $40,000 maidens going seven furlongs Sept. 22 when he was ridden by Wilson. Justin Stein will get a leg up from trainer Ian Black this time, and One for Jack has some positive route experience.

Mojumbo dueled up front before tiring to fourth in a tough $50,000 claimer on the grass a month ago. The victorious Valentino Beauty came right back to capture a first-level allowance.

Completing the field are Theatrical Affair and With Any Luck.