August 16

Day 9 Woodbine Handicapping Project

THRILLING Start.....But That's It

The day started out with a heart-thumping photo finish and then was much of the same from Saturday's results as the third week of the project came to a conclusion.  In the opener, a Maiden Special for 2-year-olds I liked Tizarunner.  He appeared as though he would be a short priced favorite, but still just too much to like in this seven furlong test.  He was a $35K grandson of champion Tiznow who had made his career debut in the Colin Stakes.  More impressive is that he was well played at 5/1 in that field of eight and was a good third behind two colts who'd already scored.  The big 80 Beyer he earned along with the drop into a spot with maiden runners was certain to draw attention at the windows.  He sat midpack behind a wall of runners through of the turn and then made his move. As they came out of the turn he was picking off runners five wide with dead aim on the leader.  At the furlong marker he collared the leader and appeared ready to run away with the race, but the front runner would have none of that.  The two of them went at it through the final 16th of a mile with each stride and bob of the head exchanging the lead.  On the wire I couldn't tell.  I was hopeful, but as I watched the slow-motion replays it was still unclear.  It was all dependent exactly where the wire was.  And as the photo below show, it could not have been much closer.......

 

The 4/5 odds resulted in a payoff of just under $20 to kick off the day!  But that was it.  Bright Light was 4th at 5/1 in the 5th, a MSW for 2yo; in the Gr 2 Sky Classic Aldous Snow (9/2) was an even 6th.  In the 8th, ion's Bay 2as a non-threatening 5th at 7/2;  In the $500K Breeders' Stakes Conquest Boogaloo was a juicy 5/1 but was dead last as they turned for home.  He was absolutely flying, but was too late to catch the impressive winner - my second choice - second.  So for the day only a single win from five selections.  The fourth week kicks off with another Wednesday night program.  The highlight of the upcoming weekend appears to be Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar on Saturday with champion mare Beholder taking on the boys.  Appears like a good move to me - she's been dominant against her own kind, yet to be asked to run AND the older handicap horses on the west coast appear average at best.