Handicapper and racing analyst Doug McPherson offers his insight on each horse in Saturday’s ninth race on July 12 at Woodbine. Race 9 (5:18 p.m. ET) McPherson’s $20 bet: $5 tri 8 with 6 with 1,3,5,7 Race 9 #1 Shade of Pale – Has been disappointing in three starts at the meet. Blinkers are being added and she did run well on the Gulfstream Tapeta in February; maybe for a piece. #2 Speak Up – Was able to rally to win for $40,000 on May 29. Seems a bit more one-paced when routing. #3 Smudge – Made a circling rally and was second-best behind impressive stablemate No Time on June 1. Her synthetic speed figures are solid. #4 Theft – Was eased up and walked off when trying turf on June 1. Synthetic winner returns in reasonable time and adds blinkers; chalk the last one up to the surface. #5 Good as Gone – A fringe player in both of her starts so far this season. Stretching out to her preferred distance for the first time this meet, could be getting ready to peak. #6 Blitz – Vet scratched on June 1, breezed a week later and not again until July 2 where she went 59 ⅖. Her best effort to date was her lone Tapeta try; wild card. #7 Princess Anastasia – Accelerated on the turn to break her maiden over seven furlongs on June 14. Routes for the first time here; we’ll see if she can sustain the rally. #8 Sultana (pictured, Michael Burns Photography)- Was roughed up at the start and was able to recover to rally from 12th to break her maiden in impressive fashion on May 31. Could be any type. #9 Bound to Be True – Caught wide and came up empty in the Alywow, second in a sprint at this level in the previous start. Routes for the first time and has a tough post; could use at the bottom as a bomb. Sultana Share This:Share
