.jpg)
The Lead:
Saturday’s Woodbine card puts 3-year-olds in the spotlight with the Ontario Fashion for the fillies and the Grade 3 $175,000 Ontario Derby for the colts and geldings. They’ll go in back-to-back races, the Derby in Race 9 and the Fashion following suit. Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to register for an take part in a $4,000 Exacta-Thon for Saturday’s Woodbine card. Earn your share of $4,000 in bonus cash when you hit winning $2 minimum exactas in at least 4 races on the program.
Field Depth:
FINAL SCORE is a Grade 2 winner in the US, while BULL BY THE HORNS is Grade 3-placed stateside as well. It’s a pretty evenly matched group in terms of class, but BULL BY THE HORNS certainly has the strength of schedule ranking ahead of the rest.
Pace:
There’s no run-off speed in this race, but expect FIRE AND WINE, TELEPORT, and FINAL SCORE to be interested early. Over 1-1/8 miles on synthetic, the pace should be fair to all styles.
Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.
1-FINAL SCORE: Keeneland’s Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes winner was a top turf runner in the US last year among the freshman class. But since missing the Breeders’ Cup and nearly all the spring, he’s been well-beaten in both the American Turf at Churchill, a wild Grade 1 comeback spot considering, as well as Woodbine’s grassy Toronto Cup in August. Blinkers go off, Lasix goes in and he remains shrouded in mystery if he’ll ever regain that early spark. Would need a big price to take that leap and gamble.
2-TREVALLY: Stakes debut for rank outsider who has won maiden claiming and $25,000-level claiming races in his last 2 starts. Hard to recommend usage but his impact on the race depends on if he’s fast enough to track the leaders and help push the pace.
3-FIRE AND WINE: Wire-to-wire upset winner of the Breeders Stakes to wrap the Triple Crown on turf. His 2 prior wins both were on synthetic so the surface switch here isn’t as big of a deal as is the likelihood this pace goes much faster than the sundial slow trip last out. Need-the-lead type will be hard-pressed to scoot clear this time and likely seals his fate.
4-WESTERN WARRIOR: Manitoba Derby winner ran off 3 wins this spring at Oaklawn when with Mark Casse. Didn’t do much running last out from a wide draw when hung out in the Canadian Derby at Century Mile and has yet to try a synthetic surface. All-or-nothing record at 11: 4-0-0 and this feels more latter (nothing) than former (all).
5-TELEPORT: Second of 2 Kevin Attard entrants with Pietro Moran named on a double call. This one has yet to go this far. Despite a long-distance European turf pedigree, he’s been flat late at middle distances. Blinkers are added which should sharpen him early, a style too similar to others here for me to embrace.
6-BULL BY THE HORNS: Well-traveled Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee hit the regional Derby circuit in the US after a midpack attempt at the Preakness. He lacks early speed and needs things to go his way. His turn of foot on Tapeta at Turfway in the Rushaway looked better than his grinding dirt style, so I like the spot they picked. Consistency issues make him a tough trust.
7-BRACHETTO: Marine winner didn’t fire at all when wide in the King’s Plate but acquitted himself with a rallying second in the Price of Wales. May be a touch better going shorter than the 9 furlongs here but isn’t without a chance and should offer value. He was an overlooked 13-1 when winning the Marine.
8-CHAOS AGENT: Highly thought of Independence Hall colt was thrown into the Jeff Ruby after his debut win and a light, 3-for-4 campaign since February leaves him with ceiling still at this later stage of the year. Late-runner gets pace to close into and could catch some of these on the south side of their season objectives with a chance to score.
9-MILITARY TIME: Prince of Wales winner on dirt has won 2 of 6 on the Woodbine Tapeta, so it’s a comfortable surface in which he’s had some success. The blinkers-on when second in the King’s Plate seem to have advanced his game and this Gun Runner colt is more than equipped for the distance. Major contender.
Most Likely Exotics Contender:
MILITARY TIME can handle the track and distance and doesn't have any noticeable downtick approaching.
Best Longshot Contender:
BULL BY THE HORNS was a double-digit price when third in the WV Derby and could impact the exotics off the pace.
Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$80 win CHAOS AGENT. $10 exacta box CHAOS AGENT and MILITARY TIME.
.svg){kind=logo}
