Woodbine Racetrack will present a $50,000 guaranteed pool for its early Pick-4 on Monday evening, and track announcer Ken Middleton has scanned Race 4 through 7 to come up with a plan of attack for constructing a ticket
.
To view the entries for Woodbine's Monday card, click here.
Here are Middleton’s thoughts on a Pick-4 ticket for tonight:
Race 4
A wide-open group of three-year-old pacers go in for claiming tags ranging from $10,000-$15,000 in the opening leg of the Pick-4, and I’ve opted to load up and go seven deep to kick things off.
Trainer Sue Gangell sends out #1 HALLIN GATOR, and her numbers have been rock solid since racing made the move back to Woodbine for the Fall/Winter meet. The former Erv Miller pupil should appreciate the class relief and the inside post position. He was a good second to Brave Alex Semalu in a recent qualifier. #4 WHO YOUR FRENS ARE had no luck in his Autumn Stakes elimination, but he was a bang up third in a conditioned assignment one week earlier. He’s capable of making some noise with the right type of trip. #5 AMAZING QUEST has done his fair share of winning this year, and he should appreciate tonight’s post position relief. #6 WESTERN TRUTH dropped and popped last week when treated to a sweet, ground-saving trip. He takes on tougher company in his quest to repeat, and I think he merits respect off that confidence-building win. #7 WESTERN EXPRESSION disappointed as the odds-on favourite in this class last week, but prior to that he dominated this class. He can bounce back for the duo of trainer Moreau and driver Filion. #8 SAMBUCCA MYSTIC dropped in class last week and had his hopples snugged up by trainer Baillargeon, who watched the colt take a much more aggressive approach. He lacked staying power in that tilt, but after blowing the carbon out of his engine he might be better tonight. #9 IDEAL LOCATION always seems to be in the hunt, but he seldom gets the job done. One of these days he going to trip out and slip by the leaders for a win.
Race 5
The second leg of tonight’s Pick-4 features a group of trotters consisting of conditioned horses and a couple of horses going in for claiming tags.
#1 CORKEMUP has finished no worse than second in each of his last three starts for trainer Gangell, and I can see that trend continuing tonight. He has more than enough speed to make his presence felt in here, and that’s a big reason to rank him high on the depth charts in this tilt. #4 FIRST NOTABLE CHIP has put up some big numbers since being purchased and placed in the barn of trainer Allard. The gelding crushed foes by four lengths in his latest effort, but that was a softer group compared to the rivals he squares off with tonight. I’m confident he can step up his game to the next level. His sharp form makes it hard to leave him off the ticket. #10 MOTOR INN was a fast-closing runner-up in last week’s debut for trainer O’Reilly, who has a challenging post position to overcome tonight. The gelding gets back on a seven-day rotation after missing three weeks of racing going into his latest outing. Even though he comes up light in the win column (2-for-27) this season, he intrigues me based on how he raced last week.
Race 6
The final of the Autumn Stakes gives #8 TRIBUTE TO GEAR a chance to bounce back after getting beat in last week’s elimination. The gelding opted to let Royal Will clear to command going into the final turn, and that move backfired on driver Mark MacDonald. Don’t look for him to be as generous this time around. I’m confident he’ll put the pedal to the metal as soon as the gate speeds away, and I think the others will have a hard time tracking him down. He’s my key horse for tonight’s Pick-4 wager.
Race 7
Four-year-olds and younger will square off at the non-winners of two races or $15,000 lifetime level to wrap up the Pick-4, and the anchor leg appears to b#1 OUR CAM KILLEAN appears to be a pacer that lacks desire, but he clearly has a bit of talent and speed. He’s the type that can beat this group, but he’ll need things to go his way in order to do it. #2 PANFERMIN FESTIVAL has been a hit-and-miss type in recent weeks, but when he puts his mind to it he can pace with this group. He wired up foes from Post 10 and showed a lot of determination to win that tilt, but he wasn’t as effective when asked to take on tougher company from that same post in his latest. Tonight’s post relief helps his chances. #3 SMOKIN HOT has only picked up small shares since joining forces with trainer Baillargeon, but one of these weeks the pacer is going to jump up and get all the marbles. He gets some post relief to work with tonight. He can’t be overlooked. #5 GLASHEDY is a lot like Our Cam Killean in the sense that he’s capable of making his presence felt when he puts his mind to it. If MacDonell can trip him out he might be heard from in the lane. #7 GOLDEN TERROR just went through the motions in last week’s first start off the bench, but I’d be on the lookout for an improved performance tonight. The Davis barn has sent out some recent winners at Woodbine, and this guy has the tools to be the next one. #8 MY PERFECT HEART used her closing skills to crack the top three in her first two starts during the month of November, but she wasn’t as fortunate in her latest effort. She has the same profile as others in this group – she has the speed but lacks the killer instinct of a winner.
Pick-4 Ticket Summary
Race 4: 1-4-5-6-7-8-9
Race 5: 1-4-10
Race 6: 8
Race 7: 1-2-3-5-7-8
Cost: $126, or pay one-fifth of the price ($25.20) by playing a $.20
ticket.
(WEG)