Riker Looks to Remain Undefeated in Grey

Tucci Stables' Riker has made all three of his starts over the surface at Woodbine  going five, six, and seven furlongs. He tracked the pace in winning his maiden, then was on the lead throughout the Colin Stakes in July and the Swynford Stakes in September, winning the latter easily by 2 1/2 lengths. The son of Include   picks up three pounds off that victory and will carry 122 pounds in the Gray. He may run into some pace pressure in the Grey, but it appears to be his race to lose. 

 

Drawn outside is Kasseopia, making his first start in North America after three runs in his native England. He most recently broke his maiden by nine lengths over the synthetic surface at Kempton under 131 pounds, 16 more than he carries here, so he is a bit of a wild card. He would prefer a hot pace up front.

 

Tizzarunner broke his maiden at Woodbine two back and then ran second by 2 1/2 lengths to Riker in the Swynford. He should inherit a tracking position from the rail and continued improvement would make him a threat with the lighter impost of 115 pounds.

 

Van Damme was further back in the Swynford, finishing fourth, 7 1/4 lengths in arrears. He did, however, run a good second in the Arlington Washington Futurity (gr. III) over the Arlington International Raceourse Polytrack two back after having broken his maiden over a third synthetic surface, that at Presque Isle Downs. Van Damme is a mid-pack runner who will need pace and improvement to collar Riker.

 

Ultraflame has shown speed in his past two efforts against restricted company. The Ontario-bred broke his maiden by 7 1/4 lengths two back at Woodbine and then ran a solid third in the Simcoe Stakes there. He draws outside Riker and will have to keep pace with that one early. Ruck is a maiden after two races at Woodbine and perhaps the added distance moves him up.