January 21, 2011 Woodbine Racetrack will present a $40,000 guaranteed pool for its early Pick-4 Friday evening. The Pick-4 will kick off as usual in Race 4. Greg Gangle of the Woodbine Entertainment Group’s media department has handicapped the four races and has provided his following insight: Ticket Summary: Race 4 – 3, 6, 8 Race 5 – 2, 5, 8, 9 Race 6 – 4, 6, 7, 8 Race 7 – 5, 6, 9 Total – $144 for $1, or $28.80 for $.20 Race 4 #3. Ziegler Hanover – had a very unsuccessful 2010 campaign but returns tonight after his best performance in the last few years taken last week. He’s racing at the bottom-end class on the WEG circuit and has enough class to score the win. He raced at a much higher level earlier in his career and Baillargeon certainly knows how to find the winners circle. #6. Mintoes – I think he will draw more attention from the bettors after last week’s performance. He was parked the entire mile and was only beaten ½ length with a :29 final-quarter. He does have just one victory last year but I think he’s a threat. #8. Homerun Hitter – posted a solid :28.3 final-quarter last start and was only beaten 3-1/2 lengths. I just hope he doesn’t get away too far back like last start for driver Simon Allard. He posted 4 victories from 19 efforts last year which is also something to consider. Race 5 #2. Rudy Rocks – will likely be the post time favourite but I think he’s beatable. You must have him in your Pick-4 ticket but this race appears fairly wide-open. He’s been very consistent in his last 4 starts and has won at this level. #5. Classic Alana – she was flying late in the stretch to finish second in the Lifetime Dream final. I’m still unsure why Jamieson positioned her that far back because she does show terrific gate-speed. She has been trotting in the 1:55-1:56 range since coming to Canada and if she gives a repeat effort, she’s certainly a contender. #8. Bookem – has been knocking on the door lately for new trainer David Menary. He finished 3rd last week after being hard used early in the mile. You can never count out a David Menary trainee, they always provide a great effort and often times find the winners circle. #9. Skyway Cruiser – he will likely offer a price after making a costly break last week. He has won numerous times at this level before and with 11 wins from 29 starts last year, he’s certainly worth a shot. If he can get off the gate well and be well positioned he’s got a great chance. Race 6 #4. Keep It Fair – with a 2-1-0 record in her last 3 starts, she’s definitely a horse to consider. She’s in for the same claiming price and has won 10 times last year from 37 starts. She couldn’t be coming into this race any better. #6. Legal Suspensory – is certainly due for a win after finishing a very strong second last week. She is very competitive at this level and is racing against much of the same group in her last few starts. Last week she got picked off late to spoil the victory, which might not happen this week. #7. Carolines Cullen N – here is another filly that has raced against this same group many times before. She has been competitive at a higher level and seems to be losing her touch lately, other than her last start. She has enough speed and talent to race in this class but it will likely come down to the trip. #8. Four Starz Horndog – at her morning line odds of 8-1, I think she’s worth a shot. There’s no question that she will have to drop a few seconds from her 1:58 qualifier; however, she has won in 1:52.3 prior to that for trainer Richard Moreau. She was racing at the top level at Pocono Downs and I think she can handle this class tonight. Race 7 #5. Windsun Countess – has been tailing off in her last five starts but is racing at the bottom-end class tonight. She did post 7 victories last year which is something to consider, as well. This race appears wide-open but if she’s on her game she will be a threat. #6. Dance With Me Dee – she appears to be a mystery. It looks like she has tons of speed with her 1:52 record last year but seems like she can’t put it all together. She did pace a nice :28.2 final-quarter last week against higher company. She’s a coin toss. #9. Lady Latte – to be honest, the only reason why I have her on my ticket is because of the trainer change. She got parked the entire mile last week at London and has post 9 to deal with tonight. She set the Grand River Raceway track record last summer (1:53.2) and has terrific speed. She won 12 times from 34 starts last year and with new trainer Jeff Gillis, she’s definitely a horse to watch. Share This:Share
