Late Pick 4 on Canadian International Day
One of the biggest racing cards of the year north of the border takes place on Sunday at Woodbine. Headlining the huge day of turf racing will be the $1,000,000 Pattison Canadian International for some of the top distance turf horses in the world. As the 6th race of the card, the International will be part of the first of two Pick 4’s that are sure to generate some sizable pools. While tempting, I actually like the second Pick 4 better, featuring three graded stakes, and plenty of live longshots. Without further ado, let’s jump right into that sequence and try to catch a nice one.
Race 8 – Nearctic (Grade 2) 6 furlongs Turf – The Pick 4 begins with a contentious field of turf sprinters going six panels on the grass. My top pick in here is the outside entrant, #10 Calgary Cat, who has improved for trainer Kevin Attard to the point of being one of the best sprinters in Canada on either grass or Polytrack. The gelding’s last pair were very impressive, and should get a good trip on Sunday to make his run on the outside. If the outside post does present a problem, my backup horses will be the classy #5 Excaper. The #2 Lockout, who is dropping out of the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, the experienced European, #7 Caspar Netscher, as well as, the streaking New York-bred, #9 Dreamsgonewild all would be no surprise to come home with the top spot.
Race 9 – Ontario Fashion (Grade 3) 6 furlongs Polytrack – The synthetic stakes of the day brings back the defending champion, #6 Youcan’tcatchme. She has not been as good in 2014, but may have found a spot in here at six furlongs over the main track where she has excelled, to surprise at 20-1 on the morning line. Having said that, I see the #1 Goldstryke Glory, with major speed on the rail, as the one to beat. She had two big wins on this track and at this distance last fall. Of the rest, #2 Native Bombshell is a talented and lightly raced returner for Chad Brown, and on her best could prove to be the cream of this crop, and #7 Disco Barbie comes in with excellent form on the synthetic surface of Presque Isle Downs.
Race 10 – E.P Taylor (Grade 1) 1 ¼ miles Turf – Each of the three favorites; #3 Just the Judge, #4 Odeliz, and #6 Deceptive Vision have plenty to like, and it would be no surprise to see any of them win. However, this race also offers plenty of potential value with a trio of longshots in with a chance. #1 Eyeful comes from the powerful barn of Andre Fabre, and while she has yet to go the distance, the three-year-old daughter of Muhtathir is improving with every start, and should be prominent throughout from the rail. #7 Wall of Sound is a ten furlong specialist in her native England for trainer Thomas Dascombe. She has been competitive against solid competition over there, and adds Lasix for her first start in North America. #8 Meri Shika, a French import now in the care of master trainer Roger Attfield, finally looks to be coming around. She surprised in the Flaming Page at 24-1 two starts back. She shortened up for the Grade 2 Canadian last time and finished well in between horses. Ten furlongs should be right up her alley on Sunday.
Race 11 – Claiming (11,500 -12,500) Fillies & Mares 6 ½ furlongs Polytrack – There can be no doubt as to which race is the weak link of the four. None of these filly & mare claimers have won even two races yet in their career. Looking at their early speed and finishing kicks, or lack thereof, there are likely some that never will get that elusive second win. Of the horses I could see hitting the wire first, I believe the #7 Synergist, and the #10 True Attraction are the most likely winners. Not many of the rest look too scary, but I’ll look to the #6 Hollywood Hallie, #8 Yoshi Mori, and #13 Left Uppercut as the possible upsetters.
The Play – I’ll go with a quartet of 20-cent Pick 4’s for a total of $94.
2,5,7,9,10 / 1 / 1,3,4,6,7,8 / 7,10 = $12
5,10 / 1,2,6,7 / 1,3,4,6,7,8 / 6,7,8,10,13 = $48
2,5,7,9,10 / 1 / 3,4 / 6,7,8,10,13 = $10
2,5,7,9,10 / 1,2,6,7 / 3,4 / 6,7,10 = $24
Good luck to all!