By Jennifer Morrison
Sunday’s Best Bet: 6 – Lady Maeve (Ire) – Race 4
Sunday’s Longshot Play: 1 – ORPHAN HALLIE – Race 1
RACE 1: 1 – ORPHAN HALLIE; 7 – LAKESHORE DRIVE ; WOOD BE WILD; 4 – ALLEN DIGGS;
The Ravendra Raghunath barn is off to a good start and Orphan Hallie had a good run in his season debut against slightly easier. There is speed for him to run at and that should help his stretch run.
RACE 2 : 5- NAVAL OFFICER; 7 – TWO YEAR CONTRACT; 4 – MORNING THOUGHTS; 1 – SIR GRAYVENSCROFT
Florida purchase Naval Officer drops down to a new low class level for his Woodbine debut and his speed makes him doubly dangerous. Pay attention to Two Year Contract as he had some trouble in his opener and trainer Mike Dunslow has a good rate of wins with horses making their second start off a long layoff.
RACE 3: 3- HICKSY; 4 – DRAGON’S BREW; 8 – FORESTERS TURN; 2- TAKE A CHANCE
Stakes winner Hicksy ended 2022 with a big win and he returns as a gelding for Lanni Bloodstock. He meets tougher but rates as a leading contender. Dragon’s Brew also won his finale in 2022 and the Robert Tiller barn is off to a good start.
RACE 4: 6- LADY MAEVE (IRE); 1 – SILENT GHOST; 3 – WICKED MIAH; 5 – PINO IN A PURSE
Lady Maeve looks very strong in this field. She was claimed for $5,000 from her 2022 finale when he led late but got caught. She sprints okay and her trainer Katerina Vassilieva is 3 for 6 to start the year.
RACE 5: TENDER SITUATION; 1- SILENT SKY; 8 – SWEET NOLA; 4 – TAYLORMOON
First time starter Tender Situation is by a good debut sire in Air Force lue and her dam has produced two debut winners. Her workout times have only been average recently so tab the tote board for some betting support. Two fillies with experience, Silent Sky and Sweet Nola are both logical.
RACE 6: 2- NIAGARA SKYLINE; 6 – COTTON; 5 – NAPA SPIRIT (IRE); 3 – AIM FOR THE SKY
A late PIck 4 starts her and Niagara Skyline may have to hurry to win at 5 1/2 furlongs but he won his 2022 opener and has plenty of speed to set up his rally.
RACE 7: 7 – CANDY OVERLOAD; 2- ARZAK; 5 – IRONSTONE; 4- OLD CHESTNUT
The Grade 3 Jacques Cartier has lured last year’s winner, Arzak, who started off 2022 on a big note before tailing off. Ontario sired and bred Candy Overload has been in good form in Kentucky and he is a stretch runner who will be flying.
RACE 8: 3- SILENT POET; 6 – SOUPER WATSON; 4 – CLEAR DESTINATION; 2 – KAWACATOOSE
Classy Grade 1 winner Silent Poet seeks his first win since 2021 (the Gr1 Highlander) and he is meeting his easiest field in a long time.
RACE 9: 1- HONEY WON’T; 8 – TRICKY MAGICIAN; 9 – CRAFTY CONSORT; 4 – MAXIMUS MOMENTUS; 3 – MR. DAZZLE
Based on his easy win on April 30 in his return, Honey Won’t will be tough to beat with a strong advantage in Beyer Speed Figure. Tricky Magician is the upset possibility as he had trouble when chasing the top pick last time.
