Sunday, April 30 Race #9 Woodstock Stakes $125,000 6 Furlongs, Tapeta 3-year-olds Top Contenders #4 Ship the Goods (9-5) ships in from Gulfstream and is in prime form right now. He had a hard fought victory last out at a shorter distance so he should appreciate the extra ground to work with. I’m not concerned about the surface switch as turf form tends to transfer to synthetic well. He drew perfectly in between the pacesetters so Kazushi Kimura can watch the race unfold and dictate the trip. Rockin Roller, who he beat two races back, has come back to win. This is the third start of his current form cycle, so he does have a fitness edge where others are just getting started. #3 New York Thunder (7-5) is supplemented for this race. The speedy colt has been sharp in his career so far, winning both starts at Gulfstream Park over different surfaces and comes in here off a layoff. He will need to carry that speed an extra furlong while facing pressure. Ricardo Santana, Jr. is being brought in for the mount. This is the one to catch but can’t see him having things all his own way. He does get first time Lasix. #5 Ninetyfour Expos (5-1) showed speed in the past as well, in fact, he blew away the field in his lone win on the pace by eight lengths. However, he has not been able to duplicate that effort, albeit he raced against some tough stakes competition. There is an important change as he now races as a first-time gelding. He is one of three entrants from the Mark Casse barn and has been working steadily for this seasonal debut. There is concern about a speed duel for him. Ninetyfour Expos and jockey Kazushi Kimura winning on the Woodbine Tapeta on May 29, 2022 (Michael Burns Photo) Longshot Play: #6 Opposites Attract (12-1) is another supplemented participant. After debuting here in June, he switched to turf for the rest of his campaign. His effort in the Cup and Saucer was better than it looked as it was his first time stretching out with a wide journey. Even though he didn’t win, he continually got better as the year went, working well over the synthetic surface at Fair Hill Training Center. He’s a very intriguing entrant. My Plays: I think Ship the Goods will have the race set up perfectly for him and I don’t expect much of a price. I am looking to play the late P5 starting in Race 6 with him as my single and hope I can catch a longshot in the sequence (Please keep in mind this ticket is before scratches): R6 4,2,8/4,6,7/5,6,7/4/5,10 By Sheri Riddoch /@gofilly for Woodbine Communications Share This:Share
