Woodbine Friday Spot Plays

A nine-race card awaits us at Woodbine on Friday. I’ll spotlight some runners of interest who could offer good value, too.

And the picks in the races below can be bet with extra confidence as TwinSpires is offering a fourth place finish payout when playing $2 to $5 across the board (WPS) and the horse bet runs fourth, up to $25. Find out more on this Woodbine promotion, only available Fridays.

Race 1

A turf maiden optional claiming event gets the day started. #4 FIRST VICTORY (6-1) ran into a fine winner on the main strip at first asking and was flattered when that one came right back to score. Chestnut colt is a sibling to a turf winner and has a right to make a big move forward second time out.

Ontario-bred sophomore comes in with a pair of solid morning moves for a strong second-out conditioner and Luis Contreras stays aboard First Victory. The move from synthetic to turf move might do the trick.

Race 3

Turf special weight event attracts eight fillies. Roger Attfield’s #3 VIVACITAS (6-1) makes her first run since 2017 and second lifetime try overall. Bernardini filly finished third after forcing the pace on this course at first asking, falling to subsequent Grade-2 queen Road To Victory, and sophomore has trained with purpose in the interim. After a well-backed debut, Vivacitas can continue to show more off the freshening with a returning Rafael Hernandez.

Race 6

Trainer Norman McKnight has sent out multiple winners at this meeting with a similar profile as #4 LOVE THAT LUTE (2-1), moving from the dirt to the All-Weather at Woodbine. Midnight Lute gelding has been mostly an all-or-nothing type so far but fits well today for a conditioner who is dynamic with a layoff of this nature. Four-year-old has trained forwardly in advance of a synthetic debut and top pilot Eurico Da Silva will be on board.

Race 9

I will take a swing in the finale with #4 AWESOMEENDSWITHME (20-1). Three-year-old filly had no chance last time from a wide draw and slow break against better. But the daughter of solid turf sire Overanalyze runs third off the layoff and also takes a big class plunge today. Krista Cole pupil could sit a fine trip tucked in behind the pace and give jockey Marklee Buchanan her second tally of the meeting.