Key trainer angle in Singspiel Stakes WEEKEND WARRIOR

The official first weekend of summer is upon us, and while everyone is still buzzing about the recent Triple Crown triumph of Justify while also looking forward to the Saratoga and Del Mar meetings that are just around the corner, there are still important races to be run in all divisions across the continent.

A little variety goes a long way for a horseplayer, and this weekend’s slate features just that – a long-distance route for older horses on turf, a Grade 3 route for 3-year-olds, and a turf mile for 3-year-olds to cap things off.

Woodbine: Singspiel

There’s little doubt that the horse to beat is Final Copy for Roger Attfield. The horse enters the Singspiel on the heels of a solid gate-to-wire score May 25. He’s very logical and deserves to be the favorite in this race, particularly given the lack of pace entered. But it’s not as though he’s a monster and everyone else should be shaking in their boots.

An interesting alternative at what should be a square price is Pumpkin Rumble. He was a game winner June 3 going a one-turn mile, and while the Beyer and Timeform US speed figures came back a bit light, trainer Kevin Attard has had success with this move in the past (last three years, winners last out, third start after a layoff, routes: 3 for 10, six in the money, $2.04 ROI), and it feels like Pumpkin Rumble can sit closer to the pace going 12 furlongs than he did in his most recent start.

He may not adore this distance, but it’s worth noting that he won a synthetic race going 12 furlongs last October.

Thistledown: Ohio Derby

With the likes of Flameaway, Title Ready, Trigger Warning, Core Beliefs, and Last Drop of Wine present, the Ohio Derby should feature an honest pace. A horse that has tactical speed but doesn’t need to be among the pacesetters is Diamond King for trainer John Servis.

The winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes two starts back at nine furlongs (the same distance as the Ohio Derby), this son of Quality Road most recently competed May 19 in the Preakness, a race that should be excused for many reasons (too tough, slop, fog, poor ride). Diamond King showed in his career debut that he doesn’t need the lead to be effective, and getting back to a more reasonable level of competition should help his cause.

Canterbury: Mystic Lake Derby

When Reride was sent to Dubai for the United Arab Emirates Derby in March, it felt like a reasonable spot considering that the horse he’d defeated in his prior start returned to win the Sunland Derby with a 91 Beyer Speed Figure. Unfortunately for Reride and his connections, he was dealt a tough hand running over an intensely speed-friendly main track at Meydan. His third-place finish should be viewed as a solid effort, considering his stalking running style.

On Saturday night, trainer Steve Asmussen returns this son of Candy Ride to turf, a surface over which he’s won his only start. The flat mile feels like the correct distance for him, and while the outer draw has done him no favors, the amount of speed drawn inside should allow him to work out a decent trip while not losing too much ground rounding the first turn.