ERNIE PERRI’S INSIDE TRACK ON WOODBINE BREEDERS’ CUP STARTERS

Woodbine’s head clocker offers up his thoughts on the best works of Breeders’ Cup hopefuls who have connections to the Toronto oval. 

“Moira’s (Filly & Mare Turf) last work was her most impressive. She started three lengths behind Cape Cod and showed a quick turn of foot at the quarter-pole, finishing three lengths in front at the wire. She went in :58-flat galloped out to the seven-eighths pole in 1:11-flat. Cape Cod finished in :59.20. She is a fractious filly that needs to get used to her surroundings so I believe being there a week early she should settle in well.” 

“Last Call’s (Juvenile Fillies Turf) most impressive work to date was on Oct 21, in 59.40, tracking Do the Griddy, 1:01.40 and Keyser, 1:02-flat. She finished with a flurry in that work. Early on in her career she was being outworked by stablemates. When she took to the grass in her first start, she finished second to [fellow Breeders’ Cup participant] Cairo Consort. She has gained a lot of confidence lately and looks very professional for a 2-year-old. She will be a price and is worth a bet.” 

“Cairo Consort’s (Juvenile Fillies Turf) best work was on Oct 14, in :58-flat, galloping out in 1:10.40 which is very impressive for a 2-year-old. She tracked a couple of older mates and really galloped past the wire with ease. The field is very tough for both these two fillies. Cairo had a tough trip in the Natalma.” 

“Lady Speightspeare’s (Filly & Mare Turf) last work on Oct 30 was in :59.80, getting the better of Churchtown in a minute. It’s very hard to fault a five-time graded stakes winner who has won her last three stakes races. She has shown bad gate tendencies in the past and that could be her only fault. She has been competitive against this type of field.” 

“Shirl’s Speight (Mile) worked on Oct 30 in 1:00.20 with fractions of :25.60 and :37.40, coming home in a last quarter of :22.80, galloping out in 1:11.60. I believe that this horse does his best running under these cooler conditions, and he did win the Grade 1 Makers Mark Mile in the spring at Keeneland. He is a big price and is worth inclusion on tickets.” 

“Bushido (Turf Sprint) is as quick as they come from the gate. He worked on October 28 from the pole in :46.20, out in :58.40, up in 1:13.80. He may need a scratch to draw in.”