Stakes Spot Plays for Woodbine Sunday, July 12

A pair of black-type races for juveniles will lead the way on the nice Sunday card at Woodbine. 

Race 7 – Victoria S. 

A cast of seven two-year-olds will speed 5 1/2 panels on the Tapeta in the first stakes races of the afternoon. The Kevin Attard-trained #6 Klassen (7-2) brought a final bid of $185,000 as a yearling and appears to be training well in advance of her unveiling. A filly facing the boys, the March foal is a half-sister to 2023 Catch A Glimpse S. winner Airosa, who went on to be classic-placed versus males the following year. The Ontario-bred chestnut will go for a high-percentage debut conditioner and will have top local pilot Rafael Hernandez in the silks. 

#7 Merckx (10-1) is another first-time starter from a barn that does very well with debut runners. The gelded son of Summer Front has not missed a morning move since early May and will benefit from starting on the outside of the field on his first appearance. Jose Campos will take the reins, and the youngster is worth a play at a price close to his morning-line number. 

Race 9 – My Dear S. 

Nine juvenile ladies will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the main oval in the co-feature of the day. Churchill Downs import #3 Gone and Plenty (5-2) defeated what I felt was a nice field of prospects in a turf dash in Louisville at first asking and will make her local bow today. The Joe Sharp pupil was purchased for $185,000 as a weanling, and the daughter of Maclean’s Music overcame a tricky voyage from the fence in her unveiling. I expect the bay to receive a fine trip from the second flight early beneath Pietro Moran. 

#9 Worldly Charm (12-1), a half-sister to millionaire and two-year-old graduate Il Miracolo, was a $150,000 yearling purchase that might be live in an aggressive placement for Casse. The daughter of excellent debut sire Vekoma has a fine draw outside in the heat and could be any kind with Fraser Aebly taking the reins.