The Owner’s Stakes From Woodbine- $750,000

The Owner’s Stakes From Woodbine- $750,000

August 1, 2015 | 3:00 PM EST | Ontario-CAN (ON)
Grade 1 | $750,000 | 3yos | 12 Furlongs | Firm Turf

OF AOTEAROA(1) makes only his seventh start here today. He was fourth in his debut with an 81 speed figure on Christmas day 2014. He followed up with another fourth but an 83 SP for his first 2015 showing. He finally broke his maiden with his third try on the yielding turf with a 94 figure. An allowance (Nw2L) win with a 106 speed figure was a green light for newastinb to put his SEA THE STARS colt in a stakes race. The Ghostbuster Turf Special STK was a success with a three quarter length win and a 102 speed rating. Last time out, he went to the front and was very successful in the Derby De Czech G3, winning by over three lengths and scoring a 107 speed rating. After such a nice race last time, I see no reason why he won’t sit on the engine again. If he does I can see a nice performance especially because this colt improves every time, and the low amount of heavy speed here. A good bet at 6-1.

RAINING PINKSLIPS(2) actually didn’t look that impressive when he began. He won a hot race for his debut with a mild 62 speed rating. It wasn’t until race number five that he had a number above 65, and he scored a 76 in that third place finish for his first Nw4L try. He then won a Nw4 and continued to win an unrestricted allowance. The Condo For Rent G3 was an eighth place failure but the DR MASSINI colt piled up three local bred allowances in a row. Looking three starts back now, he won the Dynamis Turf Memorial STK by a half-length and got the thethumb up (sorry) for a G2. In his penultimate start he was a two length winner in the Derby Stud Trail G2 and had a 105 rating. However, he was brought back down to earth (a little) with a bronze medal finish in the World Weekly News 2000 by over eight lengths. However, that start proves he’s in form and was a good experience for the youngster. That race could help him out here. He should be in your multi-race exotics.

VATNAJOKULL(3) has been looking just superb lately. The son of GALILEO met expectations as he won in his first race with an 82 speed figure. He then placed by a neck in an Nw2L race with a 91 rating but made up for it with a nice win in an unrestricted allowance. After a solid run and second place money in the Queen Izzy Cap G3 to begin his three year old campaign, he won in a jog in an Nw3L. Finally breaking a 100 SP (with a 106) he went to England for the Crosstown Traffic Turf Route STK and pulled out an easy win there. Autografs brought him to Japan for the Japanese 2000 Guineas G1 and swooped by the tough company as if they were stopped. Looking at his last start now, he was against his toughest competition yet in the Derby de English G1. SLINGING GOSPEL pulled away late but this colt hung tough for second. I can see a win here and 4-1 is a great price.

TONATIUH SOLDIER(4) broke his maiden with an 84 SP last September but actually appeared to regress until four starts back. He had missed the board three times in a row until his second 2015 start. In that local bred allowance , he was second by a neck, but continued to grab a fifth place cheque in the Dynamis Turf Memorial, beaten by over eight lengths. He was finally able to put the allowance badge beside his name two starts back with a crushing victory in a Nw2L allowance and an 88 speed rating. Last time out, he showed major improvement with a place by two lengths in the Seventh King Eddie Stakes G2. A little more improvement could get him an in-the-money finish here at Woodbine. 16-1 is worth a small bet on the son of SOLDIER HOLLOW.

VICTORS DESERT(5) has found a place on the board in every start in his eight race career. On his second start he broke his maiden with a 79 speed figure and won an Nw2L allowance two races later. After a third in an Nw4L and an Nw3L he finally notched an Nw3L. Looking at his last start now he won an Nw4L and now tries a G1. Drevil is finding out what he can really do but I’m not a huge fan of allowance steppers. I won’t bet this time; 8-1 isn’t enough value, but this is a nice experience for the VICTOR’S CRY colt. Good luck to him.

ROYAL FIRE(6) represents the girl power in this race. Unfortunately, I can’t put my faith in her. She started off looking like a claimer- a 59 speed figure and a sixth place finish. But, after four unsuccessful races she broke the 75 mark and finished fourth to begin her 2015 season. Three starts ago now, she put up an 82 and finished third by just two lengths- her first time on the board. Finally, two starts back in her switch to a route she shone while winning by two in a local bred allowance with a 93 speed figure. Last time on the good turf she won by about four with a 91 SP#. This race should be a good learning experience for the FRIESAN FIRE filly but I don’t see her winning.

POINT TO DARKNESS(7) represents the second half of a speed battle for the ages. After one failed sprint attempt he broke his maiden at a mile and then took down an Nw2L with an 83 speed figure. A next start proved he was a little to young for greatness and was a twelve lengths beaten ninth in a listed stakes. Back at the allowance level he was again beaten twelve lengths but finished fifth for an unfortunate beginning of 2015. All that did was make the son of POINT OF ENTRY more determined than ever. He went out just less than a month later and went wire to wire in an Nw3L allowance. Next out, he made the best of a bad post and did very well to grab a third place finish in the Manatee Classic G3. Another step up for the little horse that could ensued as he did well in The Derby Stud Trail G2 as he made a move and peaked the front, but was passed by RAINING PINKSLIPS who won. Another show placing meant yet another step for the redhill pupil. This time he went in the Adelaide Derby G1 and conquered. Again from the outside he took over after the first call and went all the way. That was his first try on twelve furlongs and I’d like to think he can do it again. 9-1 is ridiculous and is worth a bet.

SWAP(8) was once a 125k claimer. After his maiden win with a lackluster 63 speed figure, bukowski tried an Nw1X allowance and was third with a 70. That 125k (Nw2L) claimer followed which he won with a small 57 SP. He surprisingly cracked 80 with an Nw3L try and a win. Next he placed in a 125k starter allowance, and had three wins in a row, capped off with a win in the Manatee Classic G3. Next, The Dante’s Inferno G2 was a great experience for the youngster, which paid dividends when he moved to 12 furlongs and won The Seventh King Eddie Stakes G2 by over two lengths. He gets another step up here, and may win. However, this is some tough company, and the SENOR SWINGER bargain bred colt has never faced anyone as good as some of these. Don’t count him out but I’d like a little more than 9-1.

DUBRIC(9) broke his maiden in his third try with a speedy 93 rating. Things escalated quickly, as that was the first of a four race winning streak. He won an Nw2L and Nw3L in quick succession. You can see that he was just so much better than those horses as he was running closer to the pace than normal- with the jockey trying to keep him back. Next, he got on a level more suited to his abilities in the Beyer Beware Turf Route STK, but still romped past the field for a three length win (he even beat GOT THIS ON LOCKE, a G1 winner now). Next up, a placing in The Hogwarts G2, placing, and beating G1 winner KETARING POINT. But he was finally bested in a Derby de English G1 loaded with talent, finishing fourth beaten nine. Last time out now, GOT THIS ON LOCKE got his revenge from that listed stakes, winning and beating this colt. DUBRIC finished sixth in the Irish Derby G1 and with only 23 days rest I can see why. This time, over a month’s rest should give the DUBAWI colt enough time to prepare. Looking at his recent form though I can’t recommend a bet, especially with odds of only 6-1. I wish him luck though.

CAPTAIN HOLLYWOOD(10) took a timely seven tries to break his maiden. He begun with a 72 SP and gradually got better until he won two starts back with a nice 84 speed rating. He took a huge jump in distance, from five and a half furlongs to a mile and a half. He won that one too, going to the front and winning by two in that Nw2N endeavor. But he steps into a G1 here and has some good opponents, so I won’t be betting this longest shot on the board at 63-1. The HURRICANE RUN progeny like an also-ran.

GOT THIS ON LOCKE(11) is here to continue the rivalry. First off the bat, he was a one length winner with an 87 SP# at a mile. Next time out, he wins an Nw2L and put a 97 speed figure on the board. After two Nw3L losses (but a place for the second one), he entered the Beyer Beware Turf Route STK where- wait I covered this already. Anyways, he got his first stakes win in the Blazing Saddles 2000 Guineas STK by two lengths. After a stall in the Irish 2000 Guineas G1 (tenth by nine), he won the Irish Derby G1 by three lengths, going wire to wire, beating DUBRIC last time. It would be very entertaining if they both went to the lead and I can’t wait for the race on Saturday. 5-1 is pretty good on a returning winner by ENGLISH CHANNEL.

TAPORIS(12) has had half of his starts on dirt- and actually does better on that surface if you look at his record. Double the earnings and one more placing with the same amount of wins and starts. He broke his maiden on the dust out of the gate and stayed there for two more starts- both thirds. He finally tested the grass and put up a career best 85 while scoring one more bronze medal. For his second appearance on the lawn, he won an Nw2L and moved on to a stakes series for the ASR residency. He was sixth there and seventh in the Stormy Jack Turf sprint STK for his 2015 debut. Disdained by the turf, he went back to his metaphorical roots with the dirt. The Virtuoso Dirt Route STK was a success and he tried another ASR series stakes. A total bust ensued with and eleventh place finish back nineteen lengths. Back on the turf, the TAPIT colt won an Nw4L by over five lengths last time out. I think this one is actually better on dirt and therefore I won’t recommend here, and 8-1 is an underlay, and post twelve is hindering.

MY SELECTIONS

1- POINT TO DARKNESS #7
2- VATNAJOKULL #3
3- GOT THIS ON LOCKE #11

Longshot Play- TONATIUH SOLDIER #4