Powell’s Picks for the Summer Stakes

Fog of War (c) NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography

by Dick Powell

Woodbine’s Summer Stakes (Can-G1) attracted a field of 13 going a one-turn mile on the turf for juveniles. The winner will get an automatic entry in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and, in today’s world, probably won’t start again between now and then. There are five maidens in the field and only six have won on the turf.

Mark Casse has won the race three times and he has three entered. Like Chad Brown in New York when he has multiple horses entered, the question is which Casse trainee do you like?

Even though he looks like he is up against a bias on the turf here, I like TRICKY MAGICIAN (#11). While still a maiden, he comes into the race in good form while making his fourth career start. His first start came on the Tapeta going five furlongs and he showed good speed before weakening in good time. Next was his turf debut and he lost by a head going six furlongs on firm ground in fast time as the odds-on favorite.

Last out was a $100,000 stakes race on yielding turf and Tricky Magician rated better this time, holding on for second. I like the fact that he ran well on firm ground then on yielding ground. His sire, Magician, won the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in 2013 going 12 furlongs, so there is plenty of pedigree to stretch out. Johnny Velazquez gets a lot of Casse’s best runners and he should be able to stalk the leader from post 11 before pressing the button.

NASHTRICK (#9) was a very impressive debut winner here going seven furlongs on the turf in good time despite breaking a bit slow three weeks ago. He was able to pass horses willingly once he got his momentum and Luis Contreras rides back for Josie Carroll. This grandson of Sunday Silence is out of a stakes-placed dam by A.P. Indy who won on the turf at Kentucky Downs and that mare’s dam was a Grade 3 winner of $438,000 at Woodbine.