Relaxed Gesture will try to end a five-race skid
A return to Woodbine could be what Relaxed Gesture needs to end a losing streak that has reached five races.
The 5-year-old Indian Ridge horse hasn’t won since his 4 1/2 -length score in the $2-million Canadian International on Oct. 23, 2005.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Relaxed Gesture is back to defend his title in the International, a Grade I stakes race at 1 1/2 miles on the turf.
Garrett Gomez, who rode Relaxed Gesture for the first time in the Irish bred’s fifth-place finish in the Man O’War on Sept. 9 at Belmont Park, has the mount and they will break from the outside in the field of 10.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Go Deputy is probably the one to beat in the International. Second in the Man O’War, the 6-year-old Deputy Minister horse had won consecutive graded stakes before that runner-up effort behind Cacique. John Velazquez will ride.
The program at Woodbine also includes the $1-million E.P. Taylor, a Grade I for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf.
Arravale, who won the Del Mar Oaks in August, will be ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., and Patrick Valenzuela is in Toronto to ride longshot Live Life for trainer Neil Drysdale.
Race of the day: Prime Ruler, who has won two of three starts, will be ridden for the first time by Victor Espinoza as he takes on five other 2-year-olds in the $65,000 Sunny Slope Stakes today at Santa Anita. The race is not part of a pick six, which has a carry-over of $145,580.
One for the road: Chestoria blew away New York-bred maidens in her grass debut Oct. 6 and can come right back in the $75,000 Miss Grillo Stakes on closing day of the Belmont Park fall meet. Eibar Coa will ride for trainer Bruce Levine in the race at 1 1/2 miles.
Exotically speaking: A pick three using Wickersham in the first, Private Hall and Meet The Heat in the second and Prime Ruler, Dilemma and Caped For Flight in the third.
Winners: (previous day/meet total): 1/63. Money: (previous day/meet total): $7.60/$351.20. Total money bet: $344.
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