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View From The Booth by @WoodbineGeller

May 28, 2017

​TORONTO, May 30 – Each week, track announcer Robert Geller will comment on some of the performances that caught his eye, highlighting horses to key on in upcoming races at Woodbine. Follow Robert on Twitter @WoodbineGeller​​ for more insights on racing at Woodbine.

It may seem to be stating the obvious but the fourth placed finish by Bubba Boy at 1/16M was frustrating. In the call, I had virtually given up on the horse as a factor, having dropped to a conspicuous last early on, still trailing the leader by almost a dozen lengths with a little over a quarter mile to run. The pace did not flatter his style yet down the lane the 4YO was gaining faster than any other horse despite finishing wide out on the track. Thunder Point narrowly got the better of a stubborn Seize the Bay who remained in the top two throughout. Before wintering, Bubba Boy had finished just behind Seize the Bay so we know he is running to his level. With two solid performances now under the belt, and a touch more maturity for extended routes, Bubba Boy could be poised for a win next out.
In one of the more thrilling finishes of the meet to date, the Reade Baker trained Aciano was one of several horses caught in a bitter struggle the length of the E.P. Taylor stretch. Niigon’s Bay came from the clouds to nose out the luckless Hailey’s Prize with the well bet Redwin Romp a neck away third. Aciano put up a good fight to finish a mere half length back in fourth. The lack of separation amongst the pack may concern handicappers but this was marked improvement shown by 27/1 shot Aciano who had run last in his debut on tapeta at 5f. a little more than a month prior. Whether it was the switch to turf or the benefit of a race under the belt, the light bulb seemed to go on for this filly raced by Gunpowder Farms, an operation that often offers value.

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