October 10, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Big Game Fever
Caitlinhergrtness is out to prove her brilliant conquering of the 165th King’s Plate was no fluke when she contests the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T) this Saturday at Keeneland.
The 3-year-old filly named after 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark will make the leap to the graded level following a successful three-start stretch going back to July 6.
While Caitlinhergrtness didn’t find immediate success to begin her sophomore season (fourth in a claiming race on Feb. 14), the youngster rebounded with a win and a second in the Woodbine Oaks before making a splash in the Plate.
Entering the Queen Elizabeth II at 12-1 won’t affect the Kevin Attard trainee, as she had no trouble defying the odds in her stiffest test to date (9-1 in the Plate).
Another Round
The taps have been dry for Ain’t Da Beer Cold through seven starts in 2024, but the veteran gelding should be sporting a ‘glass half full’ mentality going into this year’s $150,000 Maryland Million Classic.
Returning to the familiar confines of Laurel Park as the 1 1/8-mile affair’s reigning champion, Ain’t Da Beer Cold is hoping to recapture some of that championship magic amidst a 1-0-1 slump to start the year.
The Jevian Toledo mount is at his best when running from the front of the pack. It won’t be easy in a wide open 11-horse field, but this horse enjoys a good old fashioned foot race (top Equibase speed figure of 106 in 2022).
Ain’t Da Beer Cold enters at 12-1.
A Changed Horse
Style Points returns to Aqueduct this Saturday for a chance to right past wrongs in the $200,000 Sands Point (G2T).
Some 343 days after finishing eighth in her professional debut – the only time she has missed the money in seven career starts – Style Points is ready to show just how much she’s grown since.
The 3-year-old filly recently punctuated an impressive post-debut stretch, in which she recorded a 6: 3-2-1 line, with a thrilling dead-heat Virginia Oaks (Listed) win on Sept. 7.
Still eyeing her first graded title after a pair of seconds in the Sweetest Chant (G3T) and Florida Oaks (G3T), Style Points is well-positioned at 2-1 heading into the 1 1/8-mile Sands Point.
Please Follow my Lead
With 37 starts under her belt, Owen’s Tour Guide has seen just about everything on the racetrack.
The 6-year-old mare, and Woodbine regular, intends to use that wealth of experience to her advantage in this Saturday’s $135,000 Ontario Fashion (G3),
While it’s been somewhat of a roller coaster through eight starts this season (2-1-0), Owen’s Tour Guide outdueled 7-5 choice Olivia Rose to take the Zadracarta last time out at 7-1.
The Jose Campos mount will now stretch out an additional furlong to six for the Ontario Fashion.
Oddsmakers currently have the wily veteran listed at 10-1.
Open and Shut
Star of Mystery (GB) is shining bright ahead of this Sunday’s $350,000 Franklin Stakes (G2T).
The 3-year-old filly rides into her third start on the North American Thoroughbred circuit (came over from the United Kingdom in June) on the heels of an encouraging 1 ½-length Quick Call (G3T) victory.
Sent off as the 3-5 favorite, Star of Mystery calmly stalked the field of six before closing gamely for the clear score.
The 5 ½-furlong Franklin should be a strong litmus test for the Charlie Appleby charge, who will square off against a much larger (11) and more experienced group of foes.
However, oddsmakers don’t appear too concerned, listing Star of Mystery as the 3-2 opening line favorite.