Woodbine Notebook: July 11-12

A look at some of this weekend’s most interesting stats and storylines from Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park, including a wide-open inner turf race on Saturday, twice the stakes action on Sunday, and an intriguing trot tilt on Saturday night under the Mohawk lights.

75

The top-three percentage of Clearwater Beach when she races on turf. In 4 turf starts, the daughter of Omaha Beach is 1-0-2.

“Beach is doing great. She broke her maiden here going a mile. Like our chances. Breezed in :35 the other day, out in :48.1.” – Trainer and owner Nick Nosowenko, on Clearwater Beach (Race 7, Saturday, July 11)

Working out

On July 2, Hesatrooper worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.60 over the Woodbine dirt track ahead of the Victoria Stakes on Sunday, July 12.

“I had Pietro [jockey, Moran] work him. He worked with another 2-year-old, a filly. Pietro was really happy with him. It was a hot day. My instructions that day were to go 1:02 and change. On a hot day, to push them too hard is counterproductive. I thought an in-between five-eighths would be perfect for him. Pietro was happy with it and I was, too. He galloped out nicely.” – John Ross, trainer

3 at 4

Mrs D recorded a trio of works ahead of the My Dear Stakes (Sunday, July 12), all at 4 furlongs on the main track.

On June 20 and one week later, she covered the distance in :48.00. On July 5, she stopped the timer in :48.40.

“She did all three very well. She could have gone faster, but with 2-year-olds you have to be careful because you don’t want shins to be an issue. She has had those three nice works, and it should set her up well for this race.” – Steven Chircop, trainer

5 straight?

Maize and Blue (9-2 in the morning line) will look to record his fifth straight score in Saturday night’s seventh race at Mohawk.

Garnet Barnsdale is backing the son of Green Manalishi S as his top pick.

“Came into June 8th’s mile off a solid effort where he raced first up from before the half and took a clear lead in the lane but couldn’t see it through to the wire. His race on June 8th was a different story when he made an early move to the front then got passed at the half, but he was out and moving again before he reached the three quarter pole. He was an easy winner over the even money favorite that night. He fired back with another win over non-winners of two a week later, then he produced a lifetime best effort to score a Grassroots win two weeks ago. Last week, he was sent off at 11 to 1 in this class and after making front early, he gave up command on the backstretch. He shot up the inside in the lane, gained the lead, then held off a closer to score the four-peat. He gets the nod to take a fifth straight win here.”