January 13, 2011 Woodbine Racetrack will present a $40,000 guaranteed pool for its early Pick-4 Thursday 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 – 4, 7, 10 Race 5 – 2, 3, 4 Race 6 – 2, 3, 4 Race 7 – 3, 5, 6 Total – $81 for $1, or $16.20 for $.20 Race 4 #4. Shesapurty Lady – Returns to this class after finishing fourth last week, beaten one-length. I’m not convinced she can get the job done but she has won at this level before as this race appears rather wide-open. She seems to race better near the front and that could happen tonight with post 4. #7. Smokin N Grinin – She was victorious at this level three starts ago for trainer Tony Montini and driver Paul MacDonell. She finished third last week but paced a :28.1 final-quarter. I would expect her to leave well and be well positioned in the early going. If MacDonell can get her covered up or a helmet to follow turning for home, she should have enough late speed to capture the win. #10. Full Circle Patty – After finishing third in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final, she enters tonight’s claiming class. Despite post 10, I think she can overcome that with her notable gate speed. She’s a great value at 7-1 and I think she’s a must-have in your Pick-4. Race 5 #2. Hat Trick Honey – Tan Micallef sends out a pair of elimination winners in tonight’s $60,000 Blizzard Stakes final. Hat Trick Honey scored a two-length victory in the fastest elimination. Driver Roger Mayotte has guided her in every career start which is an advantage to consider. I’m sure he will forwardly place her in the early going. #3. Hustleonhome – Scored a wire-to-wire victory in the other elimination for driver Sylvain Filion. Her racelines dictate that she races best on the front-end, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see her controlling the pace. Woodbine favours front-end speed, so that plays nicely for her. #4. Shanghai Thrill – If you’re looking for a price, consider Shanghai Thrill. She was closing hard at the end of the mile last week and posted a :28 second final-quarter. She has never missed the board in her 8 career starts with 4 wins, that cannot be overlooked. Race 6 #2. Closeness – Enters this claiming level tonight after a third place finish in the Autumn Stakes final two starts ago. She has terrific gate speed which will likely be put into play tonight by Simon Allard. She will likely be placed near the front and could be a threat turning for home, given the right trip. #3. Rose Run Kurt – Captured last week’s victory at this level for trainer/driver Rick Zeron. Zeron returns to this level tonight after racing in a $35,000 claimer two starts ago. He will be the likely post time favourite and will probably use his off-the-pace patented tactics once again tonight. #4. Solar Kash – Was a beaten favourite in his last two starts for the Baillargeon brothers. Mario Baillargeon might try a different driving strategy tonight given that last week’s trip didn’t work out the best. He might leave and be close near the front and in good striking range turning for home. Race 7 #3, Native Canadian – Produced a lifetime best of 1:53.2 two starts ago for new trainer Tony O’Sullivan. Last week’s performance appears to be a mystery but the connections opted to race her back 7 days later which tells me they corrected the problem. She could be a risky bet, but I think she’s worth it. #5. Byebyeamericanpie – Exploded late in the mile to finish second last week. This week she gets the services of driver Randy Waples which never hurts. I wouldn’t expect her to get away too far back tonight. This class seems to be a perfect fit for her as she just got beat by a head last week. #6. Furious Five – Filion elected to driver her over Armbro Decal after finishing seventh with her last week. Filion drove her to victory on December 2 and will likely try to engineer the same off-the-pace type of trip. She won 6 times last year and has always been competitive at this level. Share This:Share
