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View from the Booth by Robert Geller

August 27, 2019

TORONTO, August 27, 2019 – Each week, track announcer Robert Geller comments on some of the performances that caught his eye, highlighting horses to key in on for upcoming races at Woodbine.

AMERICAN GURU (Sunday, August 11, Race 10, No. 2, 1st)

In contrast to his unplaced fifth in a 6-1/2 furlong allowance on the E.P. Taylor, American Guru looked like a totally different horse in a high level allowance optional claimer when going a mile on the inner turf last start. Treating his rivals with contempt, American Guru led the entire trip to defeat Black Sea by two lengths, earning a solid speed figure as a result. The win came as no surprise, this beautifully bred son of Unbridled Song from a Mineshaft dam having arrived at Woodbine with plenty of back-class. American Guru’s nose defeat to Voodoo Song at Belmont was his only prior loss. The extended sprint distances of 7 furlongs through to a mile appear to suit the Kentucky-bred who remains a lightly-raced five-year-old. American Guru remains dangerous at allowance conditions on turf or in a softer stakes field.

MUCHOKOVA (Sunday, August 18, Race 8, No. 4, 2nd)

Even prior to loading into the gate, given how well he looked, there was reason to think first-time starter Muchokova would outrun his long odds that at the jump, blew out to 29-1. Closing near the rail from the back of the field on the inner turf, the three-year-old capitalized on his momentum to be a winning chance inside the final half-furlong of the 7-1/2 furlong distance. Muchokova was worn down by Combative, the winner returning fresh off a promising two-year-old campaign to be beaten a neck, drifting out slightly under pressure late. The pair staged a stirring battle to the wire, coming clear of Just Like Larry. By Mucho Macho Man from a Lionheart dam, trainer Tony Gattellaro must have been delighted with the eye-catching performance of Muchokova in this maiden special weight.

Follow Geller on Twitter @WoodbineGeller​​​ for more insights on racing at Woodbine.

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