Eight-time champion and Canadian Sovereign Award-winning jockey Patrick Husbands will today warm up for the upcoming season at Woodbine Racetrack with seven rides at Garrison Savannah on a nine-race Grandstand Posse Raceday card that promises to thrill race fans.
It isn’t every day we get to see Husbands in action at the Garrison and a victory in the 4:20 p.m. feature Grandstand Posse Trail Gr-I over 1 570 metres astride Toco Man would be welcomed by his faithful supporters. To capture that event they will have to turn away the classy favourite Jericho.
He is an exciting three-year-old which is owned by George Devere Davis, who will today target a fourth successive victory. The impressive gelding had a slow start to his career when he finished fourth, beaten 16 and a half lengths by Lollipop, Majestic Star and Toco Man. However, he showed that he was a quick learner when coasting home by 11 and a half lengths on good to soft conditions against maidens, sprinting 1 100 metres.
The Boston John-trained Jericho won his next two races by much reduced margins over today’s distance. He is the one they will have to beat.
In his last run, Toco Man, with his fifth jockey in six career starts, rallied from a very long way back to finish second to Jericho. His continued improvement and the upgrade in jockey should boost his chances.
Brave Star’s breeding, by John Brian out of Strong Opinion, suggest he wants further. Lollipop, the lone filly in today’s contest, is yet to run a bad race, having finished no lower the third in her three starts.
Quality Star, once the leading two-year-old, has lost his winning touch. Majestic Star, a dual winner including his last start, and Peruvian, both from the Aysha Syndicate Stable, would do well to find a place. The other starter, My Friend Patch, had debut success on a good to soft track but has been unplaced in two outings since. Dry or fast conditions will not suit him.
Immediately following the feature race is the Grandstand Posse Fire Queen Trophy Handicap for three-year olds and older rated 140-120 and lower. Here, Gold Cup runner Infrared will tackle ten others over 1 100 metres. In his last race at this distance, Infrared crossed the pole first only to be disqualified for interference, and the Raizman brothers will be hoping for better luck this time.
For this assignment he is now 16 pounds heavier, at 130 pounds, and is giving away weight all around. However class is on his side and he is selected to win. Campaigner’s Gold, fresh, from his maiden win on local soil, looks to add this sprint to his 1 570 metres success. He is favourably handicapped and in with a chance. Spa Sprint winner Celestial Storm is out to prove her recent success wasn’t an accident. (LY)
My Picks
Race 1: Oberoi
Race 2: No Not Again
Race 3: Sharjah
Race 4: Jackmanannygap
Race 5: War Music
Race 6: Gabriella Marie
Race 7: Toco Man
Race 8: Infrared
Race 9: Sebastian
