ANALYSIS

BEST BET: RACE 9, TESSERON

FIRST RACE

OCCASIONAL VIEW awaited room early in the stretch before surging late to finish a lapped-on third when going to this optional starter class from a second-level optional claimer Aug. 12. RED FEVER won his second straight race in the aforementioned sprint, and should be dangerous racing on or near the pace. Versatile MARTEN LAKE is switching back to the turf, over which he prevailed in two straight starter allowances at this distance earlier in the meet.

SECOND RACE

BRAVER THEN WE ARE began quite slowly before mounting a wide rally for fourth when debuting in a shorter $40K dash. He should be better for the experience. HESATHRILLER edged out the top choice for third after lacking room late in that same Aug. 22 contest. IN GUS WE TRUST is dropping to a logical spot after showing little during a wide journey at first asking in the restricted Simcoe Stakes.

THIRD RACE

CHESTNUT GROVE comes off a much-improved fourth-place finish, and could put it all together in this longer maiden special if she continues to progress. Da Silva knows her better now. LUNAR GARDEN lost the above-mentioned event by a nose after racing on a clear lead under the final strides. She figures to be prominent as an underlay. DOUBLE LATTE was dueled into submission on the front end last time in the 10-furlong Wonder Where Stakes. Nine panels should against maidens should be more suitable for her.

FOURTH RACE

TRACK THAT ECHO fought for the lead before fading to fourth in his best performance three weeks ago. He doesn’t have much to beat here, and could find the mark after racing forwardly again. WONNESTRUT saved ground before closing wide to drop a neck decision at 79-1 while beating the top pick Aug. 18. The third-place finisher from that event subsequently crushed $5K maidens at Fort Erie with a 74 Beyer. HAZY DAVY is dropping back down to the lower ranks off a failed turf experiment, with blinkers on.

FIFTH RACE

MAMBOINTHEFOREST is by the good speed/ debut sire Old Forester, and his dam dropped a turf winner from three starters. He’s worked okay for a trainer who rarely wins first-time out, and Hernandez has been lured for the mount. YOU’RE BATMAN is descending from open maiden special company, and should be dangerous with his tactical speed. TAKE ANOTHER SHOT is moving up off a prominent second for $32K. Use him underneath in the gimmicks, along with TIMESKIP and SERENGETI CAT.

SIXTH RACE

WHERE’S THE WIDGET hasn’t won in nearly two years, but he’s a good fit in this second-level optional claimer going a mile and a sixteenth, probably his favorite distance. His last two races were going longer, and he was competitive on both occasions. GIANT STORM is moving up from optional starter company to where he’s an adequate fit from a Beyer perspective. Leading rider Da Silva has given him a vote of confidence. LOOKIN TO STRIKE could get the better of NEVAEH’S VALENTINE in the projected front-end battle.

SEVENTH RACE

MAGIC SPELL rallied for third in a similar N1X over good ground last time, and she has lots of speed to chase on this occasion. This trainer/rider combo is 2 for 15 at the meet. REAL COAL weakened in the final sixteenth after setting a lively pace for the second straight time Aug. 11. The rapid bay could

be the dominant front-runner. SECRET MASQUERADE put away the other speed before taking her July 15 opener in an OS/$40K maiden turf sprint. Use HASSAH in the super.

EIGHTH RACE

MY ARCH ENEMY set moderate fractions along the inside before weakening to third over a track that aided outside/closers in the G3 Ontario Matron July 15. She could lead all the way here if things go her way. GAMBLE’S GHOST benefited from the bias when she rallied stoutly from left field to win the Matron by a neck. The six-time stakes winner captured this event last year. GIADA VEGAS put together a four-race win streak last fall that was capped in a turf stakes at the Fair Grounds. The comebacker has worked regularly for accomplished layoff trainer Casse. She’s unbeaten in three synthetic track excursions.

NINTH RACE

TESSERON disappointed in the second race of the Woodbine Turf Endurance Series, but could rebound here in the third leg, which he won last year under Wilson. This is the first time that Emma has ridden him this year, and she’s been successful when reunited with an old mount on the grass this summer. LOOKIN AT BRAVO came from far back to fill out the exacta in the second leg over 12 furlongs. ROYAL INTRIGUE won the second leg at 10-1, from which third-place finisher English Illusion exited to annex the restricted Halton Stakes. CAMP CREEK is winless since taking the 2016 Breeders’ Stakes under Hernandez, but could join the fray in his first start with a tag.

TENTH RACE

UNO CHAMP got the dreaded Beyer donut in a recent $20K conditioned turf tilt, but he was previously in fine form on both surfaces, and is dropping to an inviting spot here. MARRIAGE COUNSELOR is a question mark on the Tapeta, over which he was beaten a pole in the Queen’s Plate, but the drop from $20K to $10K could make him a major player. MAGICAL BREEZE closed nicely to beat $16K maidens in his latest on the grass. Consider him for the lower rungs of the exotics, along with RARE APPEAL.