The Lead:
An $870 score in the Salvator Mile in this space last time we convened provides summer momentum into Saturday's big card at Woodbine. Five stakes races are offered in greater Toronto, featuring 2023 King's Plate hero Paramount Prince and 2023 Beverly D / EP Taylor heroine Fev Rover in separate events. My focus will be on the turf sprinters clashing in Race 7, the $200,000 Grade 2 Highlander.
Field Depth:
Grade 2 winner FILO DI ARIANNA has the field's signature win and has clearly held the strongest company lines overall. OCEANIC is Grade 2-placed and has the second-best strength of schedule. Stakes winners include SECRET RESERVE and WITTY.
Pace:
For a 6-furlong turf sprint, there's not a committed speedball. STEP FORWARD has shown early interest on synthetic, while SECRET RESERVE figures to pop from the rail. You won't want to be a deep closer in this field if you expect to take the top prize.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
#1-SECRET RESERVE: Only 3 of 23 lifetime starts have on turf, so there's no certainty he'll show the expected early speed that looks possible. Best case is if he pops and fires, taking them as far as he can.
#2-COUNTY FINAL: Cutting back from 5 straight 2-turn races, the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap pacemaker didn't show enough in prior turf sprints a year ago to give serious backing here. Less appealing of the uncoupled Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemates compared to Saratoga Flash.
#3-OCEANIC: Big-time late threat was runner-up in this race last year and might very well be the horse to beat if the pace situation looked a bit hotter. Sparkled late at Keeneland in a very fast race in his only start this year and could be better than ever at age 7.
#4-SARATOGA FLASH: Versatile running style in routes, it will be curious to see what Adam Beschizza can work out in terms of pace in his first time aboard the veteran. His best races are near the front, and given the shorter trip, look out if he's 1-2-3 into the far turn while freshened since March and off a bullet workout.
#5-OLD CHESTNUT: Fourth-place finisher in the '23 Highlander has lost 10 straight because he tends to hang and flatten out late in races. Better on turf than synthetic and could improve with the return to his preferred footing.
#6-FILO DI ARIANNA: The class of the field has a versatile turf sprint running style that will be handy on Saturday and should be right in the mix. Went to the front when paired with Kazushi Kimura and the Mark Casse barn goes back to that rider who's had success with this 8-year-old.
#7-HUNT MASTER: Allowance performer has been bounced around surfaces and distances and doesn't appear at the turf sprint level of some of his competition. His last 2 riders have jumped saddles to ride competitors in the Highlander.
#8-STEP FORWARD: Potential early speed player has been more effective on synthetic than turf in his career, but with only 9 lifetime starts it's too early to make that full declaration. Solid Tapeta sprint last out in his first stakes bid and has some upside for Mark Casse.
#9-WITTY: Deep closer fires with remarkable consistency given his running style, landing exacta finishes in 9 of his last 10 starts. It's hard to be 16-for-22 in the exacta rallying from the clouds in turf sprints. Curious to see blinkers removed, but his form without them prior was pretty similar. Outside draw and long stretch at WO are plusses for his style.
Most Certain Exotics Contender:
FILO DI ARIANNA has been facing the best turf sprinter in America recently, Cogburn, and should get a dynamite trip here near the front against easier foes than that one.
Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
SARATOGA FLASH has been double-digit odds in his last 3 starts and could be overlooked again Saturday.
Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$65 exacta FILO DI ARIANNA over OCEANIC. $35 exacta FILO DI ARIANNA over WITTY.
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