ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 10, TESSERON

FIRST RACE

SANDRETTI earned a 57 Beyer when second in his much-improved second run July 21. He’s back in another $32K maiden dash, and could be the boss on a repeat of that last performance. BITETHEBULLETBRO is descending from maiden special company to a logical spot, with blinkers added for his second try with Lasix. BRITISH TRADITION is by the good 17% 2yo debut sire Old Forester. His dam produced the juvenile stakes winner Bear’s Peak.

SECOND RACE

ZEPHAN got wiped out at the break the only time he tried the grass at Gulfstream, so he deserves another chance on it here in the second start of his form cycle. The son of accomplished turf sire Silent Name is out of a grass winner. SPECIAL FORCES is tagged for the first time after posting mixed results in open maiden special company, and is probably the one to fear most. TIMESKIP showed that he can handle the turf in his latest. The consistent son of Court Vision is a mandatory for the bottom of vertical wagers. Use MIZUCHI in the super.

THIRD RACE

CRAWL FROM THE BAR, a powerful-looking gray, faded from second to third when bet down to 2-1 while debuting in the open Victoria Stakes. The McKnight charge is meeting Ontario-breds at the same five and a half-furlong distance here with money rider Da Silva back in the tack. MUSKOKA WONDER came from off slow fractions to land his July 22 debut by daylight with a light Beyer. The big son of the popular Into Mischief should be prominent for Casse, who’s won this stakes five times. SOUPER HOT wired OS maiden special types at first asking July 7, from which the runner-up exited to disappoint.

FOURTH RACE

CAPE ROCO comes off what should be a confidence-building tally vs. $8K NW3 types at Fort Erie. He’s a two-time winner over this roomy course, and should be a factor in this $10K seller. SMOOTH PASSAGE is also bringing fine Fort Erie form to this event, and will likely be a speed threat. GUATEMALA CITY benefited from an outside/closing bias when beating $10K B stock most recently on the Tapeta. Note that he’s won over this course and distance in the past. MONEY TALKS is another possibility in this wide open affair.

FIFTH RACE

NASHVILLE KNIGHT is dropping to a new low in this $25K claimer, while changing surfaces to the Tapeta, and may have found a field that he can wire. BOLD HOPE finished third among three next-out winners the last time he saw action at this price Dec. 8. The 6yo has worked decently for a successful layoff trainer. THREE RING CIRCUS dominated allowance types in a five-furlong turf dash on the Prince of Wales Stakes undercard at Fort Erie. He made a habit of filling out the tri here before that July 24 engagement.

SIXTH RACE

SINGANDCRYINDUBAI went coast-to-coast last time while putting up a fat 97 Beyer in an optional starter on the lawn. He could make all the running in this second-level optional claimer if he stays in the zone. KITTEN’S CAT lost out in a win photo in both of his outings at the meet, most recently in a seven-furlong tilt at this level. SWEET LITTLE MAN edged out the latter then to cap a four-race win streak. His outside draw is a negative, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him strike again. The classy COMMUTE has been mired in a slump, but is certainly eligible to wake up after working a bullet.

SEVENTH RACE

SMOOTH TALK has worked nicely for his first start since a flat fifth in the Nov. 18 Frost King Stakes. His hot trainer has excellent numbers with +180 day comebackers. NOT SO QUIET manhandled OS maiden special/$40K rivals when debuting over five furlongs July 18, earning a big 85 Beyer in the process. He could be viewed as a vulnerable favorite in the acid test, because of the longer six and a half-furlong distance and his inside draw. AMEN ALLEY placed in two of his three tries at this level. CAT’S WHISPER can pick up some of the pieces again.

EIGHTH RACE

SHE’S GOT FIRE lacked room early in the stretch last time before making a bid to finish a close second in the seven-furlong Lady Angela Stakes. She’s moving back out to the distance over which she graduated, and could lead all the way in a field without much speed. GOSUDARINA, who closed belatedly in the Lady Angela, is also stretching out to the more suitable distance of a mile and a sixteenth. Regular rider Da Silva is 13 for 44 at the meet for the Tiller barn. Last year’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner CLICKITY CLACK is returning from the sidelines. This trainer/rider combo scored with a similar comebacker (Fresh Princess) the other day.

NINTH RACE

GIANT MINE had a troubled break before closing wide for second in an identical spot July 20. With more forward progress, he figures to put it all together. HAPPY’S CAUSEWAY is dropping from $20K to a new low in this $12.5K seller. Regular rider Bahen is 4 for 17 at the meet for this barn. DANCING WITH ZORRO made the board for the first time when third after participating in a speed duel July 20.

TENTH RACE

TESSERON was the overall winner of the 2017 Woodbine Turf Endurance Series, and the durable veteran was a good second in the first leg of this year’s edition July 1. SINE METU checked in fourth in the opening leg, which came on the heels of a fast victory on the Tapeta. Millionaire KAIGUN stretched out from 6 to 11 furlongs when third in the first leg. With blinkers on, SECOND STREET is also worth a look, and LOOKIN AT BRAVO seems capable of garnering some of the scraps.