Big day of racing at Woodbine with a few stakes that have competitive fields. I like a trio of 8-1 shots so let’s try to catch a price!
Race 8: #6 Dreams of Tomorrow 8-1
I’m against the favorite in this spot as Bound For Nowhere just doesn’t seem like the same horse and I question his ability to get seven furlongs. I like Dreams of Tomorrow in this spot. He’s getting class relief today after he didn’t get a great set-up in the Grade 3 Poker at Belmont. I believe this seven furlong trip is going to be perfect for him. He’s always run well going one turn at Belmont and there’s an argument to be made that he’s better going the one turn. He could also get a pretty good set-up in here as it seems like most of the main contenders want to be forward while he should be closing late. McGaughey doesn’t ship to Woodbine often so he must think this is a perfect spot for Dreams of Tomorrow to get a graded stakes victory.
Race 9: #3 Paramount Prince 8-1
I think this speedy gelding has a chance to steal it on the front end while making the third start of his form cycle. Two back he was involved in a four-horse duel throughout the race and did well to hang in tough to the wire to finish second. He was pressured from all sides that day and I thought the fact that he was even able to finish second says a lot about his ability. Last time he was again on the lead between horses for the opening quarter, then he and a rival drew clear and battled all the way to the wire before they were both caught late. Again, he fought until the end to finish second and I like that he never let that pace rival by. The distance is the question for today’s race, but there doesn’t appear to be much pace in here so if he’s able to ration his speed going two turns, he can take this field a long way.
Race 10: #10 Wickenheiser 8-1
Really cool edition of the Woodbine Oaks with a full field of fourteen. I like #10 Wickenheiser making her second start of the year. She showed a lot of class last year finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Natalma and also finished fourth in the Princess Elizabeth despite a suboptimal trip. She faced open company in her first start this year and made a big late run to finish a good second. She’s had plenty of time to recover from that and has a couple quick 6 furlong drills to build up her stamina for this nine furlong test. She’s back to facing Canadian-breds today and the pace should be honest with this many horses lined up so she’ll have to work out a trip. But she has the highest late pace figure in the field and there’s nobody I’d rather have than Kimura to navigate traffic so let’s take a shot with Wickeheiser at 8-1.
