Extreme heat and humidity has hit southern Ontario and in response, the Woodbine track maintenance team has had to packe down the Tapeta main track as it bceame loose on the top.
Friday was the first day of racing since it was packed in the morning and there seemed to be a slight improvement in the surface and times of races were a bit closer to normal. The grass course is very fast and this coming week will be the first clockwise races beginning next weekend.
Thoroughblog has updated its Queen’s Plate Top 10 with SHAKHIMAT still on top of a group that has yet to sort itself out much.
Currently the main challengers to the Dan Gale – Richard Hogan owned colt may be fillies – Gamble’s Ghost, Tiz Imaginary etc. or the maiden winners Battery and Leaven in Malibu or stakes winner Amis Gizmo, fresh of a workout in 1:10.00 for 6 furlongs last week.
The Woodbine Oaks in 2 weeks is coming a much more interesting race at this point with as many as 4 gals from the Mike Doyle barn along with Gamble’s Ghost and a host of others.
**Tomorrow is the LADIE’S LUNCHEON at Woodbine put on by the track.
FRIDAY AT WOODBINE
The track seemed to play fairly and race 1 went to DIBS, a Tiznow filly bred by Eugene Melnyk,, taking this maiden $25,000 claiming race in her 3rd start of the season. Owned by Martha Gonzalez and Horsen Around Racing and trained by Nick Gonzalez, this 3yo filly had a rail, stalking trip and then a 3 wide rally on the last turn to win under Jesse Campbell.
Race 2- Interesting 5 furlong dash for $12,500 as BUONGIORNO JOHNNY rallied from well off the pace to win and this 7yo has always been a speedball, a virtual need-to-lead runner. With Luis Contreras on board, he was taken off the pace and allowed to settle and he seemed to love it as he roared to victory in his first race off the claim by Brian Corbett, who took him for $6,000.
It was the 50th career race for the Mr Greeley Ontario bred and his 8th win.
Eight-year-old EXECUTIVE FIVE was re-claimed by S A Stable and he finished 3rd.
Race 3- MYSTIC DELIGHT won this $10,00 claiming race in her 3rd start of the season under Kirk Johnson for owner Charles Burgess. Daniel Wills was training the mare this year and she is now 2 for 15 in her career. She was claimed from Burgess, her breeder, by NC Equestrian Services and trainer Robert Smith.
Race 4 – Closers charged to the wire in a 3-horse photo and it was favoured BOURBON FIRST who came out on the winning end under Gary Boulanger. This Old Forester 4yo is owned by Ryan Kerbel and trained by Denyse McClachrie and it was his 2nd win of the season. CLASSY KID, at 80 to 1, rallied inside on the 2 path and just missed in a huge turn of form.
Race 5- FINAL OFFER had things fairly easy on the pace in this 1 1/16 mile maiden race for $10,00 claiming and was the 2nd winner for Joey G Thoroughbreds in a week. The Marchfield 4yo was the 2nd winner of the day for Jesse Campbell and 4th winner of the season for trainer Martin Drexler.
Race 6- a claiming race for fillies and mares for $20,000 was won by even money shot D C LOVE BUG who benefited from a great trip, perched off the speed 3 wide. Eurico da Silva rode for owner David Cruise and this 6yo mare is now 2 for 15 in her career. She is by Niigon out of Gift of Love by Domasca Dan.
Race 7- This was a competitive grass sprint for $40,000 claiming and the class dropping SAN NICOLA THUNDER won a 3 horse battle to the wire to win for the first time since 2014. The multiple stakes winner had a big year in 2014 with $222,000 in earnings but he was off form form for most of last year in stakes races from April to November. The son of Silent Name avoided being claimed from this win and is still owned by Paul Cooper and Joe Pirone. John Cardella was winning his first race of the season. Stakes winner
Race 8 – Pace presser and fast improving gelding IMPERATORE posted an 86 Beyer Figure to win this $20,000 claiming race ofr his 2nd straight win. Alan Garcia rode for Double Rubys Stables Inc and trainer Katerina Vassilieva.
Race 9 – Maiden fillies for $16,000 went 6 1/2 furlongs and 3 wide dueling ETHEL MERTZ held on to win for trainer Dave Cotey who had the 1-2 finishers in the race as Sweet Beatrice was 2nd after pulling up in her previous race. The winner was ridden by Omar Moreno and it was her 8th career race.
