BetPTC.com / Weekend Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer

Woodbine

Race #7 – The G2 Nearctic – 6f on the turf – 4:30 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #6 – Lady Alexandra / #7 – Holding Gold / #8 – Conquest Panthera

#6 Lady Alexandra has Jose Ortiz in the saddle for trainer Graham Motion. This filly by More than Ready exits the G2 Presque Isle Masters and makes the synthetic back to the turf move. She is one for one ITM at Woodbine and go back two races and you’ll see she’s beaten the boys in the G1 Highlander. She cuts back in distance and owns a bullet in preparation for this event. Ortiz is 27% in Canada and looks to keep running up the score. #7 Holding Gold is a son of Lonhro for the Mark Casse barn. John Velasquez in the saddle and exits the G2 Play King. He cuts back in distance and worked a bullet off a 49 day layoff. He’s a stone cold closer and a solid pace would be welcome. #8 Conquest Panthera is a son of Kitten’s Joy for the Mike Maker barn. He is 4 for 5 ITM at Woodbine and she comes in off the lush greensward of Kentucky Downs. He’ll come calling late in the lane and “Jersey” Joe Bravo is winning 18% on the turf.

Race #9 – The G1 Canadian International – 1 1/2 on the turf – 5:41 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #2 – Thundering Blue / #11 – Focus Group / #10 – Desert Encounter

#2 Thundering Blue is a son of Exchange Rate for trainer David Menuisier. Fran Berry in the irons and exits the Gr 3 Stockholm Cup off a win. Two back he faced Roaring Lion and Poet’s World in the Gr1 Juddmonte at York. He’s 9 for 15 ITM on the green and been knocking heads with some tough Euros. I’m looking for a big effort crossing the pond. #11 Focus Group is a son of Kitten’s Joy for trainer Chad Brown. Jose Ortiz in the saddle and is looking to make it three in a row moving up the class ladder. Ortiz will have him in top gear nearing the top of the lane. #10 Desert Encounter comes from the David Simcock yard with Andrea Atzeni. His dam La Chicana has 4 starters, 3 winners, 1 stake win, and 3 turf winners. This son of Hailing gets first Lasix and faced some of Europe’s top shelf. Look for a solid effort over this lush turf course.

Race #10 – The G1 E.P. Taylor – 1 1/4 on the turf – 6:18 pm EDT

BetPTC.com Selections / #2 – Santa Monica / #4 – Sheikha Reika / #8 – Elysea’s World

#2 Santa Monica is 2nd off the layoff and a son of Mastercraftsman. Chad Brown teams up with Jose Ortiz and she’s 1 for 1 at Woodbine. She exits the G2 Glen Falls ar Saratoga. Brown is winning 33% at Woodbine and Ortiz knows his way to the winner’s circle. She’ll come rolling late in the lane. #4 Sheika Reika hails from the Roger Varian yard. This is her third off the layoff move and ships in from Great Britain off an impressive win. She is 6 for 7 ITM on the grass and Andrea Atzeni has the call. #8 Elysea’s World is a daughter of Champs Elysees for the Chad Brown barn. She’s looking for 3 in a row shipping in from Monmouth from the G3 Violet. A sharp work over the Oklahoma training track should have her ready for a top effort.