Betting the E.P. Taylor on a Budget
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Deceptive Vision, shown winning the Canadian Stakes, is one of the favorites for Sunday's E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
The Grade 1, $500,000 E. P. Taylor Stakes is up for grabs this Sunday at Woodbine. The 1 ¼-mile turf race for fillies and mares attracted a field of eight, headlined by the hometown and morning-line second-favorite Deceptive Vision.
The Ontario-bred Deceptive Vision captured the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes last month. As impressive as the performance was, she looked to have some gas left in the tank after crossing the finish line. However, this is far from a one-horse race and three others, in particular, look to be viable threats to capture the E. P. Taylor trophy for their connections.
Just the Judge is likely to fetch a large portion of the pools. The 2013 Irish sensation hasn’t visited the winner’s circle quite as often in her 2014 campaign. The absence of any real recent “clunkers” in her current campaign leaves me feeling she is in good form and could be due for a breakout performance. However, her thin price of 7-5 does not fairly match her chances at winning. Thus, she figures to be a non-prudent wager.
Odeliz is another Euro shipper I am keen on. Ryan Moore hops aboard for the first time, which is utterly reaffirming. The filly has been tested against group stakes company all this year and has responded with sharp trips each time out. Her recent routes were a bit shorter, but, under the hands of Moore, the added acreage should benefit her.
Angel Terrace should be right there as well, and her 12-1 morning-line odds would be the key to lighting up the tote. Does she have what it takes to win? The substantial step up in class she is making would suggest no. But one could make the case that distance should not be an issue. Look for her to come in clear, from far off the pace.
Ultimately, I think Odeliz is going to be a tough customer here.
Top contenders: #4 Odeliz, #6 Deceptive Vision, #2 Angel Terrace
Strategy
Win: $10 on 4 (Odeliz)
$2 exacta part wheel ($8): 4,6 with 2,4,6
$500,000 E. P. Taylor StakesSunday, Woodbine, Race 10, 5:41 p.m. ET1 ¼ miles, Turf, fillies and mares 3 years old and older
PP
Horse
Jockey
Weight
Trainer
1
Eyeful (GB)
Flavien Prat
119
Andre Fabre
2
Angel Terrace
Florent Geroux
124
Jonathan E. Sheppard
3
Just The Judge (IRE)
Jamie Spencer
124
Charles Hills
4
Odeliz (IRE)
Ryan Moore
124
Karl Burke
5
Royal Fury
Luis Contreras
124
Brian A. Lynch
6
Deceptive Vision
Eurico Rosa Da Silva
124
Malcolm Pierce
7
Wall of Sound (GB)
Richard Kingscote
124
Thomas Dascombe
8
Meri Shika (FR)
Emma-Jayne Wilson
124
Roger L. Attfield