ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 2, YOU’RE BATMAN

FIRST RACE

ADELLE’S PRINCESS hit the board after flashing speed in both of her outings in maiden special company, which makes her the one to fear most in this $40K claimer. RUN FOR PEACE is debuting with a speed pedigree, for a trainer who clicked with a longshot 2yo firster ridden by Bahen two weeks ago. ANONYMOUSLY isn’t bred to be precocious, but the daughter of Gio Ponti has been working fast for top baby trainer Casse.

SECOND RACE

YOU’RE BATMAN is turning back from a mile off a front-running third, from which runner-up Viewfinder exited to graduate convincingly with a 75 Beyer. Three-quarters would appear to be his distance of choice. DETROIT STEEL looked homefree in the lane before getting nailed on the wire when second for the second straight time a month ago. He figures to be prominent if he stays in the zone. TAP THE MOJO has had a breather since he was a slow-starting fifth at first asking on the Tapeta June 16, and could join the fray.

THIRD RACE

BIG HAMBONE worked nicely from the gate July 29, and has since breezed twice in preparation for his debut in this seven-furlong maiden special. He’s by the 15% 2yo debut sire Flat Out, and his dam was a juvenile stakes winner, who has been a modest producer. DANGEROUS STAR broke awkwardly before closing from off slow splits for third in his five and a half-furlong opener, which was won by the future stakes winner Muskoka Wonder. DYNAMIC FORCE is an expensive firster by the popular Medaglia d’Oro. His dam produced millionaire Dynamic Sky, a stakes winner at 2.

FOURTH RACE

MEGA MONSTER was blocked along the rail in the stretch before landing on the edges July 21, and also had a troubled trip the only other time she tired the grass. The daughter of excellent turf sire Silent Name is adding blinkers, and could put it all together if things go her way. STORMY SUMMER saved ground at the back of the pack on the turn before rallying for second in the aforementioned tilt. QUEEN’S FATE showed some ability on the lawn at 2, and could be rejuvenated following a freshening. Use WORLDS YOUR OYSTER in the exotics.

FIFTH RACE

FIRST SHOT was competitive in his last few against tougher on the grass, and could be taking an edge in this $8K Tapeta route. His trainer won the opener on Wednesday with a big dropper. HAPPY’S CAUSEWAY led through sleepy fractions before weakening to second as the favorite in a recent $12.5K seller. HAZY DAVY checked in third behind the latter then after a mounting a wide rally under the bug Kimura.

SIXTH RACE

RINCE TAPAIGH comes off an authoritative score going a mile and a sixteenth at this $20K class July 8—the runner-up came right back to win for $16K with a 75 Beyer. Seven-eighths is a bit shorter than what she prefers, but she could parlay another stalking trip into another victory. SASSY OMBRE wired similar going six and a half furlongs in her penultimate outing, and found $25K a little to tough in her latest. LIDDYUP is also at her best when routing, but she could garner some of the scraps.

SEVENTH RACE

PUNTROOSKIE made the lead in the stretch last time before giving way to a sharp Decorated Soldier, who won the G3 Seagram Cup in his next start in an upset (94 Beyer). He didn’t have the best of trips in some of his spring starts, and could put it all together this time. GLACIER should be favored off a fast (91 Beyer) N1X triumph three weeks ago. His new-found tactical speed should serve him well in this second-level optional claimer. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS comes off a fading fourth in the G3 Vigil behind his amazing stablemate, reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd. Use him in the lower rungs of the gimmicks, along with DRAGON’S CRY.

EIGHTH RACE

LAKE MANITOU never challenged last time in an optional claimer on the Fort Erie sod. She was previously third behind a next-out winner in a $40K route on the Tapeta. Following a trainer change, she should do some damage in this weak $10K NW2 event. ADIOS MIA graduated in her 12th excursion a month ago, and probably isn’t out of her league with these. MEET YOU AT HOME is dropping off a double-digit loss on the grass to where she could get back on track.

NINTH RACE

PUMPKIN RUMBLE is shortening up off a subpar showing on the lawn in the G2 Nijinsky, and is a good fit in this second-level optional event on the Tapeta. The versatile veteran possesses some positive longer route experience on the main track. WHERE’S THE WIDGET saved ground throughout last time while closing to finish a lapped-on second to Florida Won, who returned to finish third in the G3 Seagram Cup. STRIKE THE FLAG defeated N1X opposition in a 10-furlong contest that was taken off the turf July 22. Boulanger inherits the mount from Da Silva, who’s sticking with the classy WHERE’S THE WIDGET.

TENTH RACE

NEEPAWA made the lead in the stretch last time before checking in third in the nine-furlong Toronto Cup Stakes. The blue-blooded son of Scat Daddy has since worked brilliantly, and is a candidate to stay the 12 furlongs in this final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. AHEADBYACENTURY finished second to the mighty Wonder Gadot in both the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes. The closer doesn’t have much turf breeding, but possesses sufficient stamina for the task at hand. Trainer John Ross won the 1997 Breeders’ with John the Magician. SAY THE WORD finished ahead of the top choice when a distant sixth after washing out in the Plate. The Maryland-based son of More Than Ready would appear to be his best on the grass. FLIGHT DECK was a belated fourth in the Toronto Cup, and the longer distance seems attainable for the son of Lemon Drop Kid.

ELEVENTH RACE

GLIB MARYLIN and NADELEINE finished third and fourth, respectively, after both lacked room on the turn while running against a speed bias on the turf July 20. Turning back from about nine furlongs to a flat mile should be suitable for both of them. GEMINI wired $16K maidens traveling seveneighths in her latest, and could take this field a long way. CANADIAN EH had a troubled trip when sixth behind the top two picks July 20. Good turf rider Wilson picks up the mount on the 5yo.